Captain Locks Female Co-Pilot Out During Flight

Sri Lanka’s national airline has grounded a captain who allegedly locked his co-pilot out of the cockpit during a flight, following a mid-air incident that has raised serious safety concerns.

The event unfolded on a 10-hour SriLankan Airlines flight from Sydney to Colombo when the female co-pilot took a restroom break. Reports indicate that after she left the cockpit, the captain locked the door, leaving himself as the sole pilot in control of the aircraft.

This action violates standard safety protocols, which require at least two qualified crew members to be present in the cockpit at all times during a flight.

The situation escalated until a senior cabin crew member intervened, using a communication link to reach the captain. They urged him to unlock the door and allow the co-pilot back into the cockpit.

Aviation authorities worldwide enforce rules that mandate a two-person presence in the cockpit, a regulation that was reinforced after past incidents involving lone pilots. Such rules are designed to ensure passenger safety and prevent any potential risks associated with a single person controlling the aircraft.

SriLankan Airlines has launched an investigation into this incident, and the captain has been grounded while the matter is under review.