SAFETY CONCERNS

Air India Pilots Brawl in Cockpit

Just before takeoff.

An Air India co-pilot reportedly fought with his capitan in Jaipur on Sunday just before takeoff for Delhi. Numerous airline sources said the co-pilot abused the captain, but an Air India spokesman said “there was an argument between the two and nothing more.” The captain allegedly directed the co-pilot to take down critical takeoff figures, or facts like the number of passengers aboard. The co-pilot took offense and allegedly “beat up the captain,” a source told Times of India. The co-pilot reportedly has had a history of fighting with colleagues, senior Air India officials said. The altercation comes amid mounting concern over aviation safety and pilots’ mental health after a Germanwings co-pilot locked his captain out of a cockpit and crashed his jetliner.