British Cathay Pacific Pilot Fired for Low-Level, High-Speed Fly-By in 777

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Key Takeaways:

  • A Cathay Pacific pilot was fired and his first officer suspended for an unauthorized, low-level, high-speed flyby of a new Boeing 777 at the Everett, Washington plant.
  • The incident involved the aircraft flying within 30 feet of the runway at over 300 mph, with company officials reportedly on board.
  • Although the airline allows low fly-bys, the crew failed to obtain prior permission, and the situation escalated after a video of the maneuver went viral on YouTube.
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A British Cathay Pacific pilot was fired after he did a low-level, high-speed flyby at the Boeing plant in Everett, Wash., last month while on a delivery flight of one of the airline’s new 777s. As the accompanying video shows, Ian Wilkinson took the aircraft, with company officials on board, within 30 feet of the runway at more than 300 mph. His first officer on the flight, Ray Middleton (who got suspended for six months), said the company officials toasted the flight with Wilkinson later and he believes nothing would have come of the whole thing if the video hadn’t made it to YouTube. Airline officials said low fly-bys are allowed, but only if the crew asks first, which apparently didn’t happen in this case.

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