Cheers: SriLankan raises its glass to junior pilots

SriLankan Airlines has praised two junior pilots for preventing their captain from flying an aircraft while in an intoxicated state.

But the company refused to say how long it had known that the senior crew member, Capt. Upendra Ranaweera, had issues related to alcohol consumption.

The Frankfurt-Colombo bound flight was delayed by 15 hours on August 19 after Capt. Ranaweera failed a breathalyzer test. Although a replacement pilot was available, restrictions on night-flying had prevented the aircraft from taking off earlier. The passengers were compensated.

“We are proud of the way we handled the incident,” SriLankan's General Manager Marketing, Saminda Perera told a media conference. “We did what is right by sharing the correct information. Safety was never a compromise or in question. SriLankan has an impeccable safety record.”

The company’s safety management system (SMS) and corporate resource management (CRM) system worked. “We were the whistleblower and we prevented that gentleman from flying,” Mr Perera said.

Pilots face more checks and filters than anyone else. These include simulator tests and exams every six months, and an annual medical checkup. SMS was an additional layer to prevent anyone flying a plane when not fit to do so, said Management Pilot, Capt. Ranga Amadoru. It was a tool for any crew member to raise concerns about a workmate.

CRM is a system that facilitates smooth communication among flight deck crew and a more open corporate environment. It allows even junior officers to point out errors committed by senior crew.

“Both worked perfectly here,” Capt Amadoru said. The two first officers not only spoke up and advised their captain not to proceed while intoxicated (and to report sick), when he resisted they notified their management in Colombo. The crew member was prevented from reporting for duty. Significantly, the breathalyzer test was conducted before check-in.

“SriLankan has always been a safe operator,” Capt Amadoru stressed. “We may not always have been on time. There may have been all sorts of other issues. But one thing we will not let you down on is safety.” Even foreign pilots contracted to SriLankan Airlines say the company had the best training and safety culture.

At the media briefing a panel--which included Line Pilot, Capt Bandu Kumbalatara and Media Development, Manager, Deepal V Perera, refused to answer why the airline’s management had not taken action on earlier complaints related to Capt Ranaweera.

Capt Amadoru said he would not discuss medical matters of a colleague with anyone. The others maintained as there was an investigation on, they could not comment. There were now two inquiries into the incident, one by the company and another by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Meanwhile, H M C Nimalsiri, the DGCA, confirmed that there had been prior concerns about Capt Ranaweera. A complaint was first lodged with his office on January 9, 2015, by SriLankan’s former Manager (Flight Operations) Druvi Perera.

“He said Capt Ranaweera spoke to him on the phone in filthy language before cutting the line,” Mr Nimalsiri recounted. “Druvi was of the opinion that he showed erratic behaviour and was not fit to fly.” With the DGCA’s approval, the airline conducted an internal inquiry.

“Seven members were appointed with our consent,” he said. It was recommended that assistance also be obtained from a psychiatrist. Capt Ranaweera protested that he would not present himself for examination if only one psychiatrist was engaged.

Therefore, five were enlisted, of whom three turned up. “All three interviewed him and wrote afterwards that things were in order,” Mr Nimalsiri said. Other parameters, such as age, knowledge, experience, skill and proficiency, were also in order.

“We went on the advice of doctors who said nothing was wrong and we let him fly,” the DGCA said. He did confirm, however, that, “Here and there, pilots called and told me that they had observed unusual behaviour in Capt Ranaweera. I told them to send it to me in writing as I could not act on such complaints. But nobody complained to me in writing.”

Capt Ranaweera said he was not permitted to speak to media.