Passenger on Delhi Goa flight assaults IndiGo pilot in shocking onboard incident

A disturbing incident unfolded on an IndiGo flight as a passenger physically assaulted the aircraft’s pilot during an announcement about delays, and a video capturing the assault has gone viral on social media.

The flight was between Delhi and Goa when the pilot announced the delay of the flight, when the passenger charged at the pilot and allegedly punched him as seen in the video. 

The shocking episode occurred when a man in a yellow hoodie suddenly rushed from the last row and punched the new pilot, who had replaced the previous crew due to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) after extended delays. FDTL regulations, overseen by the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), are essential for ensuring pilots and flight attendants have adequate rest, addressing fatigue-related safety concerns.

The specific flight where this incident occurred remains unverified.

Social media users expressed outrage, calling for the arrest of the assailant and inclusion on the no-fly list. Passengers emphasized that the pilot and cabin crew were not responsible for the delay and were merely performing their duties.

The assault adds to the challenges faced by airlines, notably at Delhi airport, where 110 flights experienced delays and 79 were canceled on the day of the incident. Ongoing adverse weather conditions, including dense fog, contributed to significant disruptions, with some flights facing delays exceeding seven or eight hours. IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Vistara cautioned passengers about potential further impacts on flight schedules due to persisting bad weather in Delhi and Kolkata.