SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
The tragic crash of Germanwings flight killing over 150 persons highlights the need by airlines to adopt measures to keep periodic and random check on mental health of airline pilots, apart from their physical fitness and proficiency checks. There should be zero tolerance for allowing any airline pilot to continue having his license validity if there are reasonable grounds to establish mental incapacity, or any doubts about such an illness developing at a later stage. Any pilot with any tendency for abnormal mental behaviour should not be allowed by regulators to hold a license. Such abnormalities can only be detected if regular psychiatric evaluations are conducted both by airline operators and regulator.
Incidences of PIA pilots coming pissed drunk for flight duty have been reported not only within Pakistan, but at major international airport’s the most recent being incident at Birmingham, involving Captain Chisty, who had a history of such irresponsible behavior, but was protected by his peers and colleagues. This irresponsible behaviour reflects suicidal tendency. Airline pilots with any criminal records, including crimes for which they have served their sentences, should never be allowed by regulator such as CAA to have a valid license.
In one such incidence a PIA pilot, charged with allegations of rape, while on initial training in Kuala Lumpur somehow managed to get out of the country to escape death punishment. The incident was reported to airline management, but matters hushed up, because no criminal report was filed by the complainant, nor was any psychiatric evaluation carried out. Few years back another pilot was forced to resign, after he raped a stewardess, but matter was hushed up and no criminal proceedings pursued under pressure from union. His license was not revoked by CAA and he now flies a chartered airline based in UAE.
Rashid Orakzai
pakistan.shafaqna.com
