The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines are investigating an incident involving a Colorado Rockies coach who was seen sitting in the cockpit of a chartered flight while in the air. The incident was brought to light through a now-deleted Instagram post and the FAA has confirmed that flight deck access is restricted to specific individuals. The coach, Hensley Meulens, posted a video showing him sitting in the pilot’s seat during a chartered flight from Denver to Toronto. United Airlines has reported the incident to the FAA and the pilots involved have been withheld from service while an investigation is conducted.
The FAA is taking the incident seriously and has stated that they do not comment on the details of open investigations. United Airlines has expressed deep concern over the video, which appears to show an unauthorized person in the flight deck at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged. They consider it a clear violation of their safety and operational policies and have taken swift action by reporting the incident to the FAA and holding the pilots involved out of service while an investigation is carried out. The Rockies have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident, which occurred while the team was traveling to Toronto for a series against the Blue Jays.
The situation has caused a stir in the aviation and sports communities, with many expressing concern over the safety implications of allowing unauthorized individuals access to the flight deck during a chartered flight. The incident has prompted discussions about the importance of adhering to strict safety protocols in the aviation industry to prevent potentially dangerous situations from arising. The investigation by the FAA and United Airlines will shed light on the details of the incident and determine if any further action needs to be taken to ensure the safety and security of all passengers on chartered flights.
The coach’s post on social media, which has since been deleted, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the appropriateness of his actions during the flight. While it is not uncommon for passengers to be allowed into the cockpit during certain phases of a flight, the presence of an unauthorized individual during cruise altitude with the autopilot engaged raises serious concerns about potential safety risks. The investigation will likely focus on how and why the coach was allowed access to the cockpit during the flight and whether there were any breaches of safety protocols that need to be addressed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
United Airlines has emphasized that safety is their top priority and that they take any potential violations of safety protocols very seriously. By reporting the incident to the FAA and withholding the pilots involved from service, they are demonstrating their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all passengers on their flights. The outcome of the investigation will determine if any disciplinary action is necessary and what steps, if any, need to be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following established safety procedures and regulations in the aviation industry to minimize risks and ensure the well-being of all passengers and crew members on board.
