FAA and United Airlines Investigate Unauthorized Person in Pilot's Seat During Colorado Rockies Team Flight

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines are investigating a serious breach of safety protocols after an unauthorized person was seen in the pilot's seat during a charter flight carrying the Colorado Rockies baseball team from Denver to Toronto on April 10, 2024. The incident led to the removal of at least two United Airlines pilots from service pending the outcome of the investigations.

According to reports, the unauthorized individual has been identified as Hensley Meulens, a hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies. Witnesses stated that Meulens was observed sitting in the pilot's seat and mimicking flight operations during the charter flight. This action violated strict access protocols to the flight deck, which were established in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

United Airlines has reported the incident to the FAA and temporarily withheld the pilots from service while conducting its own internal investigation. In a statement, the airline described the event as a "clear violation of our safety and operational policies." The FAA has also launched an investigation into the incident but has not provided any further details on the ongoing probe.

Why this matters: The occurrence of such a serious safety breach on a charter flight for a professional sports team underscores the need for constant vigilance and strict adherence to established security guidelines. It also raises concerns about the effectiveness of current safety protocols and the potential for similar incidents to occur in the future.

This incident comes at a time when United Airlines has been under increased scrutiny due to a series of recent safety incidents. As a result, the FAA has intensified its oversight of the airline's operations. Federal regulations restrict flight deck access to specific authorized individuals only, and any violation is treated as a grave breach of security.

In a statement, United Airlines emphasized that it takes these matters extremely seriously and is fully cooperating with the FAA's investigation. "The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority, and we are working closely with the FAA to gather all the facts and take appropriate action," the airline said. The FAA has not provided a timeline for the completion of its investigation or indicated what potential consequences the pilots or the airline may face as a result of this incident.

Key Takeaways

• Unauthorized person accessed cockpit of United flight carrying Colorado Rockies team.
• FAA and United investigating the serious breach of safety protocols.
• At least two United pilots removed from service pending investigation outcome.
• Incident raises concerns about effectiveness of current aviation security measures.
• FAA has intensified oversight of United Airlines due to recent safety incidents.