There is being an investigation launched into how a German Condor Airlines B767 diverted off course and came within 600ft/200m of a UK Thomas Cook B757 , which had to take avoiding action.
It is thought the German captain diverted to pass close to a colleague’s plane to get a photo of him on his last operational flight.
As we all know, condor is the German part of Thomas Cook and has the same aircraft colours. His colleague’s aircraft was really 160 kilometers ahead.
The Conder pilot and his co-pilot have been suspended from duty immediately after the incident happened.
Right so, they broke the rules and have to face the consequences.
By the way, before you go to court, may I, ahh, we here ins this forum, see your pics? 😉 :diablo:
Sources: [INDENT]1. Bloomberg.com – Condor Pilots Suspended After Flying Risky Mid-Air Maneuver
2. CNN.com – ‘Photo attempt’ pilot in near miss
3. BBC News – Air near miss for sake of photo[/INDENT]
By: steve rowell - 14th July 2005 at 02:28
You always think of Airline pilots as very intelligent people, obviously not so in this case
By: Flex 35 - 13th July 2005 at 22:16
It’s a forum for any spotter or journalist who wants to sign up, and they don’t even have to sign up to read what’s on it.
Yep, more spotters then pilots are members of pprune. 😉
Nothing ever “confidential” is not really disscussed on there. Airlines have there own “sub-forums” over there, and you actually have to be employed by the airline to view those. I couldn’t access them for example. 😉
Flex 35
By: BY767 - 13th July 2005 at 20:42
I think it’s worrying how the British Media is able to access information like that on Forums for Professional Pilots and aircrew.
Furthermore, even when the information is given to them so easily they still manage to get it wrong.
Journalists (especially for British tabloid newspapers) come across as being so stupid.
By: Junior747 - 13th July 2005 at 19:22
I am stuned to hear that a profesional crew would put their aircraft, crew and passengers at risk, for a photo!? I can’t really say I don’t believe it, but I am finding it very hard to believe….!
So….anybody know where we might be able to see his pics… 😉
Regards,
By: Whiskey Delta - 13th July 2005 at 18:05
I want to see his pictures. 🙂
By: MapleLeaf_330 - 13th July 2005 at 17:49
There was a request in Canadian papers yesterday for people who were on these flights to come forward with their stories. I guess one flight was bound for Halifax and the other to Toronto. One departed from London according to our paper, though the airport was not specified.
By: Flex 35 - 12th July 2005 at 22:14
Pretty bad “airmanship” if you ask me. 😉
I like Condor’s official comment:
“Our plane deviated from its cleared routing and altitude. We cannot comment on other allegations.”
Does anyone know where the TCX 757 had departed from orignally (MAN/GLA/LGW?).
Flex 35
By: BY767 - 12th July 2005 at 21:51
I originally saw this on the Pprune forum, and then again today in The Daily Mail (quite unexpectedly)
I was surprised at the story, and thought it was rather unprofessional of the Condor pilots, who are supposed to be highly trained and responsible individuals as pilots. However, we all know how the media (and sometimes people in general) can ‘spice up’ the original story so perhaps it’s not all it seems. I don’t know enough about it really to make a fair comment.
In the article from the Daily Mail, it had “Airbus 757”. Their incompetent “travel editor” gets it wrong yet again… 😮 Wouldn’t it be nice if they could employ someone who at least had some vague idea of the aviation industry…?
Some reports are saying the TCX (UK) 757 pilot climbed quickly to avoid the DE a/c (which is probably most likely) and others are saying he put the a/c into a steep descent(?)…Whatever he did, well done! 🙂 ex- RAF Harrier pilot I see! 😀 probably has a fair amount of experience in sharp manoeuvres then in that case!
Regards
Joe
Sign In
July 12, 2005 at 6:46 pm