Cathay fire 777 pilot after low fly by.

Steyr

Harsh? Pics with the link!

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/02/25/221793/pictures-cathay-chief-777-pilot-fired-after-low-level-flypast-stunt.html

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DATE:25/02/08
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com
PICTURES: Cathay chief 777 pilot fired after low-level flypast stunt
By Nicholas Ionides

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways has fired a senior pilot for carrying out an unauthorised low-level flypast in Seattle during the delivery flight of a Boeing 777-300ER last month.

The incident took place on 30 January at Everett Airport immediately after Cathay took delivery of the new 777-300ER. After takeoff for Hong Kong the captain – chief 777 pilot Ian Wilkinson - returned the aircraft to the airfield and made a low-level flypast with the landing gear up.

One industry source close to Cathay tells flightglobal.com that the aircraft was at just 28ft-30ft above the ground.


On board were around 50 or 60 people, according to another industry source, including Cathay chairman Christopher Pratt.

Cathay confirms that “the pilot in command of the flight concerned had been dismissed as he had not sought nor obtained the necessary company approval to undertake such a fly-by. A second pilot involved has also been subject to disciplinary proceedings. Both disciplinary actions are subject to an appeals process”.


The airline adds that “Cathay Pacific has a well established approval process for fly-bys and a number had been conducted in the past as display flights at air shows with proper approval in place.

“The approval process was not followed in this case, resulting in disciplinary actions. Following the incident, Cathay Pacific has issued a notice to all cockpit crew reminding them of the company’s policy for conducting fly-bys.”

Cathay says it is still conducting an internal investigation into the incident, “including the collection of flight data, and interviews with the crew involved”.

It also says it has “taken the initiative to inform the Civil Aviation Department of the case and a report will be submitted to the department once the investigation is complete”.

The first officer was not dismissed as he reportedly did not know permission had not been obtained for the manoeuvre but he has been removed from training duties for six months.

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Stupid thing to do without prior permission. Nice bit of flying though!:D

pclancy

Photos are cool, hard to beleive he'd pull a stunt like that with the boss on board and not have got proper permission.

FlutterinBantam

Dead right!!

The prairie is the place for cowboys,not the flight deck.

kraggy

Something doesn't add up.

"After takeoff for Hong Kong the captain – chief 777 pilot Ian Wilkinson - returned the aircraft to the airfield and made a low-level flypast with the landing gear up".

An aircraft can't just return to an airfield after taking off. Needs permission from ATC.

FlutterinBantam

Maybe they were on strike:D

Run_to_da_hills

Not too far away almost 50 years ago over Lake Washington a pilot made another unauthorised stunt by barrel rolling a prototype 707 and got commended for it!!. http://www.aviationexplorer.com/707_roll_video.htm

*Kol*

kraggy wrote: »

Something doesn't add up.

"After takeoff for Hong Kong the captain – chief 777 pilot Ian Wilkinson - returned the aircraft to the airfield and made a low-level flypast with the landing gear up".

An aircraft can't just return to an airfield after taking off. Needs permission from ATC.

The captain probably asked for permission and they granted it. Just like for a touch and go during test flights.

kraggy

Yeah, just learned that it was at the Boeing plant too so not as big an issue.

ian_m

I don't think it's half as bad as this behaviour...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYfhC9ft_hk

Does anybody know if anything happened to this pilot in regard to being reprimanded etc?

FlutterinBantam

Nothing probably, it was an official airshow.

Presumably he/she is still alive.

pclancy

Theres some great videos of that Airbus...speed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-tVBCX8yDQ

*Kol*

pclancy wrote: »

Theres some great videos of that Airbus...speed!

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=A-tVBCX8yDQ

Like it or not it's great flying, and great to watch!!

Tenger

ian_m wrote: »

I don't think it's half as bad as this behaviour...

Does anybody know if anything happened to this pilot in regard to being reprimanded etc?

This was an official low level pass at the Evora air show. I think it was by the TAP fleet pilot of A300 or definitely an senior pilot. The manuever had been practised previously. If he was lucky he may have got mobbed by pretty ladies for doing this.