Pilots suspended from duty over coffee in the cockpit

Two pilots have landed in trouble after a photo of their Holi* celebration went viral on social media. SpiceJet has stood down the two pilots for jeopardising flight safety after the photo showed them keeping gujiyas^ and beverages on a critical console in the cockpit.

The incident took place on the day of Holi celebrated across the nation on the 8th of March Wednesday. A photo of the celebration went viral on social media with users calling the act extremely "unprofessional".

SpiceJet has grounded both the pilots for risking the lives of the flyers onboard the Delhi-Guwahati SpiceJet flight.

"Both pilots have been off roster pending an inquiry. SpiceJet has a strict policy for consumption of food inside the cockpit which is adhered by all flight crew. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken upon completion of the investigation," a SpiceJet spokesperson said.
The action was reportedly taken after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday asked the airline to immediately identify the crew members and act against them. Complying this with directive, the airline a day later off-rostered (taken off flying duty) the pilots.

"Appalling & extremely unprofessional behaviour by @flyspicejet pilots. If the liquid (resting on the fuel cutoff levers) spills, it can short circuit the electronics affecting a range of systems and compromise the aircraft’s ability to fly safely,".

* Holi is a popular and significant Hindu festival celebrated as the festival of Colours, Love and Spring. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of the god Radha and Krishna.

^ Gujiya is a sweet dumpling of Indian origin, made with suji or maida flour and stuffed with khoa.