Lion Air Pilot Takes Wife to Cockpit; Minister Warns The Airline

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi admitted that he reprimanded airline company Lion Air on a pilot who took his wife into the cockpit. The reprimand is also considered as strong warning. "We definitely need to give warning in order to improve their future services," Budi Karya said in Banten on Saturday (27/5).

Budi explained that this warning is expected to give a deterrent effect so that this incident will not happen again. Nevertheless, the ministry is still waiting for further investigation from Lion Air. After the result of the investigation is clear, Budi Karya will impose a sanction to the pilot. "The pilot can be grounded, we will see later. Investigation is still ongoing."

This case is revealed through a facebook account of Citra Rienanti, who uploaded a picture of the incident. Citra explained that the incident took place on JT 015 flight with the route Denpasar-Jakarta on May 23. Lion Air Management immediately responded to the incident and gave a sanction to the pilot Captain Dimas Rio. All of the crew were interviewed to obtain further information on Friday (26/5).

The prohibition to enter cockpit is stipulated in Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) 121.547 on Admission to Flight Deck. Dalam CASR stipulates that only crew and inspector of Air Transportation Directorate General posses access to entering the cockpit. Other special people allowed to enter are those who own special certificates, or those who earn a permission from Pilot in Command, AOC Certificate Holder Management and from Air Transportation Directorate General.

ANTARA | MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI