DENVER (AP) — Federal transportation officials are investigating an unauthorized inflight cockpit visit by a coach for the Colorado Rockies baseball team during a United Airlines charter flight last week from Denver to Toronto.
Video surfaced this week that appears to show Rockies hitting coach Hensley Meulens sitting in a pilot’s seat while the April 10 flight was at cruising altitude. It is against federal regulations for unauthorized people to be on the flight deck.
He can be seen and heard on the video joking with other people in the cockpit — including a person in a pilot’s uniform and at least one other person who does not appear to be an airline employee — and says the plane is at 35,000 feet (10,670 meters).
“Flying the plane, here to Toronto,” Meulens says as he gestures toward the person in uniform sitting next to him.
“I’m going to land the plane tonight. So relax,” he says. He then reaches toward the flight controls and pretends to take hold, saying, ”I just press this button ... and it goes down.”
Florida law discriminates against Chinese nationals trying to buy homes, attorneys argue
China coronavirus update: More than 88 million COVID
VOX POPULI: LDP lawmakers’ remarks about political funds create a paradox
VOX POPULI: Leadership skills of the past are missing in the politics of today
Kings hoping goaltender Cam Talbot can return to early form as Stanley Cup playoffs begin
VOX POPULI: Abe faction’s ‘amended’ funds report is simply worthless
Shi Fu Miz 2023: Hong Kong music & art festival returns to Cheung Chau farm, expands to 3 days
Coronavirus China update: China's funeral homes overcrowded amid COVID
An appeals court dismisses charges against a Michigan election worker who downloaded a voter list
Cycling star Evenepoel targets June return from crash ahead of Tour de France and Paris Olympics
Russia's presidential vote starts final day with accusations of Kyiv sabotage