Terror as plane plummets 1,500 metres

Jet Airways has been asked to suspend two of its pilots by India’s civil aviation regulator following a dangerous incident in mid-flight to Brussels.

It is reported that the aircraft dropped 1,500 metres over Turkey because neither pilot was flying the craft, prompting air traffic control in Ankara to issue a series of safety warnings.

The captain was on a scheduled break when the plane rapidly dived to an altitude level assigned to another aircraft. 

It is reported that the co-pilot was not in control of the craft because she was looking at her tablet computer.  

The commercial airline flight from Mumbai to Brussels was carrying 280 passengers, adding to the seriousness of the incident. In a statement, India’s civil aviation regulator said: “Both the pilots have been taken off the roster pending inquiry.

“Additionally, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has been asked to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.”

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways owns a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways, which is the second-biggest carrier in India.

India has had a troubled past in terms of recent aviation events. In January, the US Federal Aviation Administration removed the country of the top safety rating, due to a lack of quality safety management.

India now ranks alongside countries such as Zimbabwe, Indonesia and Bangladesh for aviation safety.