The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an unauthorized inflight cockpit visit by a Colorado Rockies coach on a United Airlines charter flight from Denver to Toronto. The video shows hitting coach Hensley Meulens sitting in a pilot’s seat while the flight was at cruising altitude, a clear violation of federal regulations. Meulens can be seen joking with others in the cockpit, including individuals who do not appear to be airline employees. He pretends to take control of the flight controls and mentions landing the plane that night.
Meulens posted the video on social media and later deleted it, but it had already gone viral and was reposted. Rockies manager Bud Black stated that Meulens was contrite and apologized to the team, United Airlines, and the Rockies. United is conducting its own investigation of the incident. The airline considers the cockpit visit a violation of safety and operational policies and has reported it to the Federal Aviation Administration. United spokesperson Russell Carlton expressed deep concern over the unauthorized individual being in the flight deck at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged, resulting in the pilots on the flight being withheld from service.
United Airlines has faced a series of problems in recent weeks, including incidents like a piece of aluminum skin falling off a plane and an engine fire. The Federal Aviation Administration has increased its oversight of the carrier, and the airline’s CEO has assured travelers that the airline is safe. Major League Baseball has acknowledged and is monitoring the Federal Aviation Administration’s investigation into the unauthorized cockpit visit by Meulens. The agency restricts flight deck access to specific individuals, and further details of the investigation have not been disclosed. The Wall Street Journal initially reported the incident, shedding light on the ongoing investigation.
The video of Meulens’ unauthorized inflight cockpit visit has prompted investigations by both United Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration. Meulens can be seen joking and gesturing in the pilot’s seat while the flight was at cruising altitude. The incident has raised concerns about safety and operational policies, with United confirming that the pilots on the flight have been withheld from service pending the investigation. Meulens has since apologized for his actions, but the fallout from the incident continues as both the airline and federal authorities look into the matter.
The incident involving Meulens has added to the recent challenges faced by United Airlines, which has been under scrutiny for various safety issues in recent weeks. The airline’s CEO has reassured passengers about flight safety, but concerns remain following the unauthorized cockpit visit. Major League Baseball is also keeping a close watch on the investigation, indicating the broader implications of the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration’s restrictions on flight deck access highlight the seriousness of unauthorized individuals being in the cockpit during flight, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety protocols. The investigation is ongoing, with further details expected to emerge as authorities delve deeper into the matter.
