A serious protocol violation occurred aboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL607 when the captain locked the co-pilot out of the cockpit during a routine bathroom break. The incident took place on an Airbus A330 flight from Sydney to Colombo, leading to the captain’s resignation shortly after.
The flight faced a tense situation for both passengers and crew. The captain’s decision to lock the cockpit door during his break, leaving the co-pilot outside, was a significant breach of safety protocols. According to aviation safety regulations, when a pilot leaves the cockpit, a cabin crew member must enter to ensure that there are always two people in the cockpit. However, the captain failed to follow this rule and isolated himself in the cockpit.
Senior cabin crew attempted to intervene and regain access to the cockpit, causing tension among the crew and compromising established security procedures.
Official Complaint and Investigation
Upon landing in Colombo, the first officer filed an official complaint. SriLankan Airlines announced that the captain had been suspended from flying, and a formal investigation into the incident had been launched.
While international aviation regulations permit pilot breaks on long-haul flights, they also mandate that the cockpit must always be occupied by at least two individuals. In two-pilot operations, when one pilot leaves the cockpit, a crew member must temporarily take their place to maintain compliance with safety standards.
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