HIGH DRAMA

Pilots Grounded After Cockpit ‘Slap’ on London-Mumbai Flight

Crew reportedly stormed out, leaving no one at the plane’s controls.

Two pilots employed by Indian airline Jet Airways have been grounded after having an alleged fight while the plane was in the air with 324 passengers on board on New Year’s Day. Airline officials are investigating claims the male pilot slapped his female colleague during an argument, as well as that the two left the cockpit unattended—and no one at the controls—while en route from London to Mumbai. According to several reports in the Indian press, the female pilot had to be persuaded to go back in by cabin crew because she was in tears. “A misunderstanding occurred between the cockpit crew,” the airline said in a statement. “However, the same was quickly resolved amicably and the flight… continued its journey to Mumbai, landing safely.”