It’s not uncommon to hear about violence onboard planes, with poorly behaved passengers typically being the culprits. However, Focus Taiwan reports on a case where the captain of the plane is accused of being the violent one, in what can only be described as a bizarre incident.
In this post:
EVA Air pilots argue over taxiing speed, punches thrown
Earlier this month, Taiwan-based Star Alliance carrier EVA Air suspended a captain and opened an investigation into an incident that happened on a recent flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Taipei (TPE).
According to reports, the incident occurred after the flight’s (Malaysian) first officer tried to warn the (Taiwanese) captain that he was taxiing above the speed limit of 30 knots.
After alerting the captain several times without any corrective action, the first officer reportedly manually applied the brakes, in accordance with published procedures. The captain was offended by this, and reportedly punched the first officer at least four times, leaving him swelling and bruising on the back of his hand.
The whistleblower who exposed this expressed disappointment that the emergency response plan was not activated, and that a pilot with “emotionally unstable” behavior could continue the flight, potentially putting others at risk.
The airline suspended the captain pending an investigation, and is attempting to learn the details of what happened. However, the airline claims that data from the cockpit’s “quick access recorder” indicated that the plane wasn’t speeding while taxiing.
Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration is also investigating the incident, and will impose legal penalties if the crew’s actions is found to have impacted flight safety.
This kind of drama happens more often than it should
It goes without saying that pilots aren’t usually trading punches in the flight deck. That being said, when you consider how many flights operate every single day, plus that pilots rarely fly with the same person multiple times, there are bound to be situations where the atmosphere in the flight deck leaves a lot to be desired.
Admittedly the intent is that airlines have endless procedures in place (rules, checklists, etc.), to minimize the human element, and any potential issues with the “personalities” on the flight deck. The goal is that if two people are unable to get along to the point that they can’t work together, they should just voluntarily get off the plane, in acknowledgment of that. It’s a story we hear maybe once per year.
If the details here are as reported — that a first officer brought up concerns and was dismissed by the captain — unfortunately that’s a very familiar story that has contributed to many aviation incidents over the years.
For that matter, even worse is when the first officer doesn’t speak up, even though they realize something is wrong. That was the whole basis of Nathan Fielder’s “The Rehearsal” Season 2, which ended with him flying a Boeing 737 full of passengers (SO GOOD!).
Bottom line
An EVA Air Boeing 777 captain has reportedly been suspended after a flight deck altercation at LAX. According to reports, the first officer expressed concerns about the captain’s taxiing speed, which were ignored. So the first officer applied brakes himself, which caused the captain to punch him at least four times. If an investigation confirms these details, then hopefully serious disciplinary action is taken…
What do you make of this alleged EVA Air incident at LAX?
The taiwanese media got the facts a little crooked.
Aircraft had just landed at LAX (possibly 24R) and was instructed to hold short 24L
Captain did not slow down as aircraft approached 24L and first officer called "Speed"
Captain ignored, first officer pressed the brakes, captain punched FO repeatedly in the shoulder.
After the suspension, it is rumored that Captain Wen applied for early retirement.
"It’s not uncommon to hear about violence onboard planes, with poorly behaved passengers typically being the culprits."
Flight attendants. Don't forget about the main cause of all issues on planes... flight attendants.
Why do you think they are so adamant about no cameras on the plane? Their behavior would be exposed. If it was passengers, you would think they would want them.
Ooooo Sum Ting Wong? Lol
There should have been at least one and probably two relief pilots on the flight deck, what were they doing when this happened?
Punches thrown and not even at a Mainlander? What a waste.
Points adventure is literally missing the point.
These are the ones you rely as a buffer first line of defense?
The aggressive trigger happy people on duty of guarding the free world?
And we keep arming them with advance deadly weapons.
Your stupid reinforcement for violence is just making things worst.
This is really going to start WW3.
Eskimo, from the right side of the pond, it would appear that it is the U.S. administration which is arming the world. Which is extremely trigger happy and has become a most unstable world power.
Treating your friends and allies to such threatening behaviour, is nothing short of Hitler’s 1930’s Nazi performance …. we all know how that ended.
The USA cannot win a war against any credible adversary, especially China. However, Adolf Trump...
Eskimo, from the right side of the pond, it would appear that it is the U.S. administration which is arming the world. Which is extremely trigger happy and has become a most unstable world power.
Treating your friends and allies to such threatening behaviour, is nothing short of Hitler’s 1930’s Nazi performance …. we all know how that ended.
The USA cannot win a war against any credible adversary, especially China. However, Adolf Trump and his hawks seem to believe that after they initiate WWIII, the world will be dominated by the USA …. dinosaurs will inhabit the earth again before that happens ….
Many years ago on a flight from Paris to Vienna, Niki Lauda was Captain of the plane i sat in. I recognized him by his red hat he always wore and of course he made his puplic announcements during the flight.
However, i experienced the fastest taxies i ever had, surely way faster than 30 miles.
His 2 bumper stickers are.
My other vehicle is F1.
My other vehicle is 767.
Is this the only picture of an EVA Air plane you have? It’s awful.
Just in case there are others who, like Mantis, fail to recognise that in my post below starting “The one advantage”, etc, etc, that I was actually poking fun at myself satirically. In the event that anyone does not understand what I have posted, then please feel free to ask. I firmly believe that there is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers.
One prefers not to post stupid answers, however, I do take pleasure in responding to stupid posts.
If it was meant to be a joke, try to be funnier next time.
Thank you for the click for Ben’s tally and of course this opportunity to respond to you Joe …. Soap, is it?
One might suggest that you take an eye test to note the ‘Joke symbol’, however, in your case Sleepy-Joe, I will simply say ….. do better next time, but on second thoughts, that was clearly your ceiling. Xxxx
"Sleepy Joe..." lol if that is your best attempt as an insult, tells me everything anyone needs to know about you. I've worked with single celled organisms in a petri dish more complex than you.
Good for you Joe, did ChatGPT write that for you? As you post like a single cell organism and obviously know such a lot about their habitat, should one conclude that are one of their kind?
No need to answer that question Joe, it will only cause you to loose your will to live.
Luv you too darlink, Xxxx
(If true , pilot is not-fun .)
Fun is when the pilot rubs his hand over the female FAs thigh and "front bottom" .
Alert or should that be, A. Lert?
Seriously now, I couldn’t resist a chuckle at your Calendar Girls, “Front bottom” reference. Did you see the film?
I wish I were surprised by this. More and more we are seeing this kind of behavior in high-stakes, high-risk settings. So much of it is tied to ego and communication styles that regard harmony and compliance over effectiveness and safety.
I’m kinda envisioning two three year-olds sitting there slapping each other.
Reminds me of the Air France flight deck kerfuffle a couple years ago. However their " fight " was just so refined with slapping and throwing objects, this sounds a lot more serious.
The one advantage of being over six feet tall and built like an outdoor brick lavatory, was that my subordinates were unwilling to raise an eyebrow even …. :-)
Lame anonymous online flex. I bet you punch like a girl.
Mantis, you post like a little girlie …. from the safety of your hovel. Do you squat to pee too darlink?
You're an outdoor brick lavatory alright.
You're full of shit and brain is dense like a brick. And no one welcomes you so you're staying outdoors.
Do remember Eskimo …. he who laughs last, laughs the longest …. You are, in common with some other trolls, very accommodating when it comes to offering others the opportunity to laugh last at you!
Several years ago deplaning a Jetstar flight from SIN to MNL the cockpit door was open and the captain was berating the first officer. It was very loud and abusive. Every exiting passenger could hear. I don’t know whether it got physical but it was pretty shocking. I don’t want to be flying on planes piloted by two crew who argue or fight on the ground, since who knows what will happen if one of them gets upset during flight. They may need more mental health checks.