UK: Pilot sacked after low-flying stunt

A British pilot has been sacked after performing a low-flying stunt with a new 230-ton Boeing 777, it was disclosed today.

Captain Ian Wilkinson took the Cathay Pacific plane within 28ft of the ground in a ceremonial fly-by on a delivery flight on which VIPs were aboard.

Cathay Pacific said Capt Wilkinson, 55, had not sought or obtained permission for the fly-by and had been dismissed.

The incident took place at Boeing’s airfield in Seattle, in the United States, on January 30. Pictures of the fly-by were posted on websites including YouTube.

There were 69 people on board the flight, including four pilots and eight other crew. VIPs are thought to have included Cathay Pacific’s British chairman Chris Pratt.

Pictures of the stunt showed the giant aircraft just off the ground with its undercarriage raised.

Cathay Pacific said today that Capt Wilkinson’s co-pilot – Briton Ray Middleton - had also “been subject to disciplinary actions”. It is understood Mr Middleton has been suspended from training duties for six months.

The airline said today: “We can confirm a fly-by event involving the delivery flight of a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft departing from the manufacturer’s plant in Seattle on January 30 2008.

“The airline is conducting an internal investigation into the incident, including the collection of flight data, and interviews with the crew involved.

“The airline has taken the initiative to inform the (Hong Kong) Civil Aviation Department of the case and a report will be submitted to the department once the investigation is complete.”

Cathay Pacific added that the pilot in command of the flight had been dismissed as he had not sought or obtained the necessary company approval to undertake such a fly-by.

The airline went on: “A second pilot involved has also been subject to disciplinary proceedings. Both disciplinary actions are subject to an appeals process.”

The spokesman added that Cathay Pacific had a well-established approval process for fly-bys and a number had been conducted in the past as display flights at air shows with proper approval in place.

“The approval process was not followed in this case, resulting in disciplinary actions,” the spokesman said.

Cathay Pacific has issued a notice to all cockpit crew reminding them of the company’s policy for conducting fly-bys.