In a disturbing incident that unfolded on a domestic flight in India, a passenger expressed his frustration over a lengthy flight delay by physically assaulting a pilot. The shocking altercation, captured on video and posted on Instagram via user @evgeniabelskaia on January 15, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about passenger behavior.
The Incident Unfolds
The altercation occurred on IndiGo flight 6E2175, which operates from Delhi to Goa, covering a distance of 1,987km. According to the posted footage, the passengers had already endured a 10-hour delay due to adverse weather conditions, including fog, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The video shows a pilot making an announcement to the agitated passengers when a man in a yellow hoodie rushes up and slaps the pilot forcefully. The pilot is seen falling backward, prompting a female cabin crew member to intervene. Another passenger in a blue hoodie steps forward to calm the assailant, who continues to express his frustration.
Passenger Detained and Flight Consequences
The assailant was detained by the police after the assault. IndiGo, in a statement on Twitter, confirmed the incident and revealed that the passenger had been handed over to the authorities. The airline emphasized that the assault was not only a severe breach of decorum but also a criminal act.
In response to the incident, IndiGo expressed its intention to put the passenger on the “no-fly” list, preventing him from boarding any of the airline’s future flights. The airline also mentioned that they had changed the pilot involved in the altercation.
Contrary to the claims of a 13-hour delay made by a passenger in the Instagram post, flight tracking data from FlightAware contradicts this, indicating a 10-hour delay. The delays were attributed to adverse weather conditions at the Delhi airport, affecting several flights, including 6E2175.
The police are reportedly considering charging the assailant under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including the charge of voluntarily causing hurt. The severity of the assault has prompted authorities to explore legal action under Section 41 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, allowing for the arrest of a suspect without a warrant.