Captain and Crew of Donghae Hangkong Involved in Mutual Assault During Flight, Threatening Public Safety
Donghae Hangkong, Airline Previously Controversial for Captain Allowing Wife in Cockpit
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] An incident occurred in China where a pilot and a flight attendant got into a fistfight during a flight.
According to Chinese media such as Pengpai on the 8th, a recent altercation occurred between the captain and a cabin crew member on Donghae Airlines flight DZ6297, which was traveling from Nantong to Xi'an. Chinese media reported that the captain’s front teeth were broken and the flight attendant’s arm was fractured due to the fight. The pilot and flight attendant fight was revealed on Chinese social media platforms like WeChat on the 6th.
Chinese media reported that the mutual assault incident happened 50 minutes before landing. Before landing, when a passenger tried to go to the restroom, the captain demanded the passenger return to their seat for safety reasons, but the passenger did not comply. Enraged, the captain reportedly assaulted a nearby flight attendant for failing to restrain the passenger.
Chinese media estimate that this assault incident occurred on February 20 of last month.
After the assault incident, Donghae Airlines removed both individuals from flight duties, and the Shenzhen aviation authorities in China are reportedly investigating the incident, according to Chinese media.
Chinese media criticized the fight between the pilot and flight attendant on board the aircraft during flight, stating that such behavior is strictly prohibited under aviation law and that this brawl endangered public safety.
Chinese media also reported that Donghae Airlines had similar incidents in the past. In July 2018, a Donghae Airlines captain allowed his wife to enter the cockpit during a flight. As a result, the captain was disciplined for violating operation and flight regulations.
Founded in 2002, Donghae Airlines has been operating based at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport since 2014, according to reports.
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