Two pilots were suspended from flying for doing extremely dangerous actions in the cockpit

A SpiceJet spokesman said both pilots had been removed from the flight list pending further investigation.

India’s low-cost airline SpiceJet has suspended flights with two pilots after a photo emerged of them drinking hot coffee and eating cake in the cockpit.

A photo of a coffee cup without a lid with the SpiceJet logo placed close to the plane’s joystick in the cockpit has caused a stir in the aviation community and netizens in India.

The pilots who are not in the photo also show off holding gujiya cakes. That seemingly ordinary action could turn into a disaster if a hot cup of coffee is spilled in the cockpit.

On March 17, a SpiceJet spokesperson told CNN that both pilots had been removed from the flight list pending further investigation.

“SpiceJet has a strict policy on eating and drinking in the cockpit and is to be followed by all cabin crew. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken upon completion of our investigation,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said.

The photo shows the two pilots drinking hot coffee and eating cake in the cockpit.

In the opinion of Shakti Lumba, a retired pilot and former chief executive officer of Indian airline IndiGo, the act of taking photos of pilots posting on social media is “immature” and “unhelpful” desirable”, especially when they are responsible for the safety of the flight and its passengers.

“It’s completely inexplicable behavior. All pilots are aware of the danger when liquid is spilled in the cockpit,” the former pilot shared.

Lumpa added that the general aviation industry regulation is to prohibit placing any food or liquid on the center console.

Below the control panel is a very important wiring for controlling the aircraft. If hot drinks are spilled here, it could overheat or cause the system to stop working.

In 2022, SpiceJet also faced a series of incidents, prompting a thorough investigation by the aviation regulator.

In May 2022, the autopilot of a SpiceJet plane malfunctioned and caused a serious incident that injured many people on board.

The regulator ordered the airline’s flights to be halved over an eight-week period following at least eight technical problems in July 2022.