Passengers claimed he was slurring his words and speaking unclearly during a flight announcement before takeoff, which prompted many to disembark from the plane because they suspected he was drunk or under the influence of drugs.
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An Indonesian pilot for Citilink, a low-cost subsidiary of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, was fired for allegedly reporting to work drunk with the intention of flying an airplane (video below).
On the morning of December 28, Captain Tekad Purna, 32, was scheduled to fly from Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, East Java, to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, the Associated Press reports.
Passengers claimed he was slurring his words and speaking unclearly during a flight announcement before takeoff, which prompted many to disembark from the plane because they suspected he was drunk or under the influence of drugs.
There were 154 passengers on the Airbus A320, but when a new pilot was assigned to the flight some decided to cancel their reservations instead of using the carrier.
Video footage of Tekad going through security at the airport shows him unsteady on his feet, unable to stand up straight, and dropping his belongings.
Tekad underwent a medical test at a clinic and another was given by the Flight Health Agency, according to The Jakarta Post. The results of the test are pending.
Citilink previously denied reports that Tekad was drunk, stating initial alcohol and drug tests were negative, the Associated Press reports.
An investigation into Tekad’s actions is ongoing, and he has been banned by Minister of Transportation Budi Karya from flying pending the outcome. If he is found guilty of being drunk or under the influence of drugs while on duty his license will be revoked.
On December 30, Citilink announced that Tekad had been fired for breaching procedures, a violation that puts the lives of passengers at risk.
Two executives of the company, President Director Albert Burhan and Operational Director Hadinoto Soedigno, resigned from their positions that same day because of the incident.
“The pilot had committed serious violation of standard operation procedure that endangered passengers,” Burhan said, according to the Associated Press. “We apologize for the discomfort. I have to be responsible for that and therefore I and my production director resign.”
Citilink Vice President of Corporate Communications Benny S. Butarbutar told The Jakarta Post that Burhan’s resignation must be approved by the company’s board of commissioners and its parent company.
Sources: Associated Press via WTSP, The Jakarta Post, Juanda International Airport/YouTube / Photo credit: Juanda International Airport/YouTube