Who does not love when, on a flight, the cabin crew walks down the aisle offering passengers a good cup of coffee and a sweet treat? It is not just passengers who sometimes need refreshment during a fight, but pilots as well. However, food and beverage consumption in the cockpit must follow specific rules that aim to safeguard safety. Pilots not following these rules might face harsh punishment, including being suspended, as was the case with two pilots of the Indian carrier SpiceJet.

A not-so-innocuous cup of coffee

Last week, during the celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, two pilots of the Indian carrier SpiceJet allegedly consumed coffee and sweets in the cockpit of their Boeing 737 without following the Indian aviation rules regarding food and beverage consumption in the cockpit. Consequently, the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCV) has initiated an investigation to shed light on the details of the event.

The safety-endangering break onboard the SpiceJet flight came to light after a photo went viral on the internet, unchaining the indignation of many. The photo depicts the two pilots of the Boeing 737 enjoying a cup of coffee and the typical sweet of the Holi festival, the gujiyas. The cup of coffee, whose lid is missing, is precariously laid on the fuel levers right under the engine thrust lever.

According to reports produced by experts, the aircraft was flying at a cruising altitude of 37,000 ft (11,277 m) when the picture was taken. If having a refreshment once the aircraft has reached its cruising altitude is everyday praxis, what is it about this picture that led SpiceJet to ground the two pilots?

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Photo: Suparat Chairatprasert/Shutterstock

The answer to this question shall be found in the Tweet of the Indian aviation safety expert Mohan Ranganathan, who explained how an emergency occurring on a flight with such a festive atmosphere in the cockpit would have fatal consequences. First, the absence of the lid on the cup might cause coffee to be spilled on electronics, leading to a failure of vital instruments or to the inability of pilots to communicate with air traffic controllers. When asked to comment on the picture, Mr Ranganathan stated:

"Even the slightest turbulence and coffee spills on to the electronics, it will foul the systems. This is a criminal act"

Other pilots pointed out how unexpected turbulence could cause coffee to be spilled on the engine and auxiliary power unit fire-fighting system, making it inoperative. If coffee is spilled on these switches, it could cause a short circuit, and could end with an emergency situation.

The consequences for the SpiceJets pilots

On Tuesday, March 14th, the Indian aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), responded to the call for action coming from those who had seen the picture on the internet and criticized the reckless behavior of the two pilots, which could have jeopardized the safety of the passengers.

The DGCA reached out to the Indian airline, demanding to identify the two pilots and punish their actions. Therefore, SpiceJets has decided to ground the two pilots of the SpiceJet flight that operated the Delhi to Guwahati leg last Wednesday, March 8th. However, before any other punitive action can be taken, the airline has stated it will further its investigation into the episode. An airline's spokesperson told The Hindu newspaper:

"It is not clear from the post when was the photograph taken, whether it is recent or old, the sector being operated or the crew or even the aircraft in question. We are trying to ascertain these details"

How should food and beverage be handed in the cockpit?

The punitive action against the two SpiceJet pilots does not stem from them eating or drinking during the flight but from the two pilots going against the Indian civil aviation rules regarding food and beverage consumption in the cockpit.

Indeed, according to Indian civil aviation regulations, cups must have a lid, and cabin crew should hold cups in their hands instead of bringing them on a tray to avoid spillage in case of unexpected turbulence. Additionally, cups must be handed over to pilots from the side to keep them away from the central control panel, where vital instruments are located.

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The viral photo depicts an entirely different scenario from the one required by Indian regulations. However, it is too soon to say what fate awaits the two SpiceJets pilots, as investigations from part of the airline still have to be completed.