KATHMANDU, Nov 28: Nepal’s aviation regulator has grounded two Nepal Airlines pilots after they were found filming inside the cockpit during an active flight — a breach of flight-safety rules that has once again put a spotlight on discipline inside the national flag carrier.
In a letter dispatched to Nepal Airlines on Friday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) ordered that wide-body aircraft Capt. Vijay Lama and Capt. Soni Rana be immediately removed from the duty roster. The authority said the pair had violated safety protocols by engaging in “photo/videography while operating the aircraft.”
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A directive issued by Sangam Karki, chief pilot of Nepal Airlines’ Flight Operations Division, instructed the airline not to assign the two to any active flight duty until further notice.
According to Nepal’s aviation safety regulations, taking photos or videos during an active flight is considered a serious breach of cockpit discipline. The case has drawn particular public interest because Capt. Lama — a well-known face who has appeared in numerous national and international aviation documentaries, films, and series, and who also runs a YouTube channel — is currently serving with Nepal Airlines on contract.
This is the fourth time Capt. Lama has been penalised by CAAN for violating similar operational standards, adding a fresh chapter to his long and sometimes controversial career both in aviation and on screen.
