What is the story about?
As questions emerge over the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv with around 180 people on board, aviation
safety expert and veteran commercial pilot Captain Amit Singh, while speaking exclusively to Times Now, explained what could happen if pilots become injured, incapacitated or are unable to operate the aircraft. Singh, founder of the Safety Matters Foundation, said that an aircraft's autopilot can continue operating even if both pilots are unable to actively control the plane.
Can Autopilot Remain On If Both Pilots Are Hurt?
According to Singh, the autopilot remains engaged until it is physically disengaged. This means that if pilots are injured or otherwise unable to operate the aircraft, the autopilot does not automatically switch off simply because they are incapacitated.However, the aircraft would still require appropriate human intervention to manage changing flight conditions, communications, navigation and landing.
What Do Emergency Codes 7700 And 7500 Mean?
Singh also explained two important transponder codes used in aviation emergencies.7700 is the general emergency code, which alerts air traffic control that an aircraft requires immediate assistance.
7500, meanwhile, indicates unlawful interference or hijacking and alerts air traffic controllers to a potentially serious security situation.
How Are Pilots Checked For Mental Fitness?
On pilot mental health assessments, Singh said pilots routinely make a self-declaration that they are not suffering from any mental illness, while formal tests are conducted during the initial recruitment process.The issue of pilot fitness has gained renewed attention amid questions about what happens when a crew member is unable to perform their duties during a flight.
What Happens When One Pilot Leaves The Cockpit?
Singh said that when one pilot leaves the cockpit for a break, a cabin crew member must be present inside the cockpit, ensuring that two people remain there.Can ATC Know If Pilots Are Fighting Inside Cockpit?
Asked whether air traffic controllers could detect a physical altercation between pilots, Singh said ATC would not necessarily know what was happening inside the cockpit unless the pilots communicated it over the aircraft's communication channel.His comments come amid heightened attention on cockpit safety and crew incapacitation following the Flydubai FZ1073 incident, which involved an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk airport. According to the airport authorities, both the captain and co-pilot were injured and taken to hospital after the aircraft made a safe landing.
The circumstances that led to the emergency and the injuries to the two pilots are currently under investigation.
