KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has suspended the licence of an influential pilot of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for allegedly sleeping while operating a London-bound flight in April, it is learnt here reliably.

According to sources, the CAA has also directed strong disciplinary action against other pilots, air hostesses and air stewards on duty in that flight and advised the PIA to re-inform its crew regarding procedures relating to in-flight rest.

Talking to Dawn, a CAA spokesperson has confirmed that the licence of Capt Amir Hashmi, a former president of Pakistan Air Lines Pilots Association (Palpa), has been suspended.

The CAA issued a directive in the first week of September on the subject of “Finalisation of Inquiry in incident PK 785 dated April 26, 2017” which says that, “Reference is made to M-1 HQCAA/1070/036/FSAC/P dated June 8, 2017”.

The directive says that, “In pursuance of findings and consequent recommendations made in respect of inquiry conducted into PK-785 dated April 26, 2017, the competent authority in execution of powers vested under Rules 4 and 5 of Civil Aviation Rules, 1994 has ordered following for implementation with immediate effect.

“(a) The pilot licence of Capt Amir Hashmi be suspended for one year effective April 27, 2017.

“(b) Strict disciplinary action be taken against the entire cockpit and cabin crew to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future.

“(c) M/s PIAC to reassert and re-circulate procedures governing crew rest in flight.

“Submitted for compliance and implementation under intimation to the CAA,” adds the directive issued by the CAA’s acting Flight Standards director Arif Majeed.

The sources said that pilot Hashmi while operating the Islamabad-London flight, with over 300 passengers on board, had handed over the flight controls to first officer Ali Hassan Yazdani and under training pilot Mohammad Asad Ali and moved into passenger cabin, and went to sleep.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2017