An investigation is underway by the Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines after a member of the Colorado Rockies’ traveling party was allegedly seen on video sitting in the captain’s chair in the plane’s cockpit during the team’s flight on April 10. The Rockies were en route to Toronto on a charter flight operated by United when the video was taken. Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, federal regulations tightened around who is allowed to be on the flight deck, and United’s own flight operations manual requires the cockpit door to remain closed.
The FAA confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that it was looking into the alleged incident. The video, which was purportedly posted by a member of the Rockies’ staff on Instagram, allegedly showed the person sitting in the pilot’s seat while the first officer was beside him in the cockpit. The door to the cockpit appeared to be open, and as the camera panned around the cockpit, another person who did not appear to be a member of the flight crew walked into the doorway. The video was deleted from the person’s account, but a screen-recorded video of the original post had circulated on X.
The unauthorized person in the cockpit at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged in the video was deeply disturbing to United Airlines. They considered it a clear violation of their safety and operational policies. Consequently, they reported the incident to the FAA and withheld the pilots from service while conducting an investigation. The FAA confirmed it is investigating the matter, but did not provide any further details on the progress or findings. The incident raised concerns about security and safety measures on aircraft, particularly with unauthorized personnel accessing the flight deck.
The potential breach of aviation regulations during the flight of the Colorado Rockies charter plane prompted an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines. The video evidence, deleted from the original poster’s account but circulated online, showed an unauthorized person sitting in the captain’s chair in the cockpit while the plane was at cruise altitude. United Airlines expressed deep concern about the incident and reported it to the FAA. The pilots involved were removed from service pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration initiated an investigation into the alleged incident involving an unauthorized person in the cockpit of the Colorado Rockies’ charter flight. The video, which purportedly showed a member of the Rockies’ traveling party sitting in the pilot’s seat at cruise altitude, raised serious safety and security concerns. United Airlines, the operator of the charter flight, confirmed the incident and stated that they had reported it to the FAA. The presence of unauthorized personnel in the cockpit violates strict regulations implemented post-9/11 to ensure the safety of commercial aviation.
The unauthorized access to the cockpit during the flight of the Colorado Rockies’ charter plane led to significant repercussions for those involved. United Airlines took immediate action by withholding the pilots from service and initiating an investigation into the incident. The presence of an unauthorized person in the cockpit while the plane was in flight raised alarm bells regarding potential breaches of aviation security protocols. The FAA’s involvement in the investigation reinforced the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the importance of adhering to strict safety measures in commercial aviation. Further details about the incident and any subsequent findings were not disclosed, leaving questions about the consequences for those responsible.
