AI suspends pilots in mid-air fiasco

Air India suspended crew members and pilots involved in the midair fiasco which endangered the lives of over 166 passengers on board the Bangkok-Delhi flight on April 12.According to reports, the two government owned carriers have been involved in most the eleven worst crashes in the last four decades.The last crash was in 2010 when an AI 737-800 aircraft crashed in Mangalore killing 158 people on board.An inquiry into the incident has confirmed the ‘over-stay’ of cabin crew in the cockpit resulting in the suspension of those involved.However, the persons involved have denied that the cabin crew had been allowed to operate the aircraft in the absence of the commander and co-pilot.According to reports, the pilots put the plane on autopilot and put two crew members in charge who then accidentally switched off the autopilot control. The carrier has seen bad press due  to non-payment of salaries, mismanagement and mounting losses.
 http://newindianexpress.com/nation/AI-suspends-pilots-in-mid-air-fiasco/2013/05/04/article1574053.ece