NEW DELHI // Struggling state-run carrier Air India has grounded two of its pilots after a fight erupted between the pair just before take-off, reports said Monday.
The co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain inside the cockpit as they were preparing the passenger plane for take-off from Jaipur to New Delhi on Sunday night, the Hindustan Times said.
The co-pilot was irritated by his superior's request to write down critical information for the flight, such as the number of passengers on board, take off weight and fuel uptake, the Times of India reported.
“The co-pilot took offence at this and reportedly beat up the captain,” the newspaper said, quoting unnamed sources.
“In the larger interest of the airline the commander decided to go ahead with the flight and flew to Delhi,” the daily added.
The airline denied any violence took place, saying there was only a verbal argument between the pair, according to the Press Trust of India.
“There were only heated exchanges between the commander and co-pilot over some issue. We have already de-rostered the two pilots pending an inquiry,” an Air India spokesman told the news agency.
The carrier could not be reached for comment.
Air India — which has not reported an annual profit since 2007 — has been hit by a string of technical glitches and other embarrassing incidents, including staff turning up late for flights.
* Agence France-Presse
