Hacker News Reader

Comment by clon | Hacker News Reader

Please don't. This is unsubstantiated bullshit at this point. It is a lot more likely that they fought the plane (or their own somatogravic illusion, or ..?) to the bitter end. To put pilot suicide out there, requires some supporting evidence on your part.

View on HN

I think most of speculation in this thread is mostly unsubstantiated, as we know nearly nothing. I think it’s fine that the parent points this out, at the very least should not be berated like this.

Fun fact. When I flew Delta for the 4 years before the pandemic, anytime a pilot used the restroom, it was mandatory that a flight attendant take their place -- for exactly this reason. Sit in first class long enough you begin to get comfortable with common flight procedures.

Keep in mind it's not that the flight attendant can pilot a plane, it's that they can unlock the door to let the other pilot back in the cockpit.

While it is unlikely, it's still a possibility, and one that Delta, at least, is worried about happening.

Yes. But there are, of course, plenty of reasons why this policy is a good idea besides the unlikely possibility of malicious/suicidal actions on the part of a pilot.

No. That's pretty much the main reason.

No, it’s one reason but it’s far from the only reason.

Medical events and incidents that cause incapacitation of a flying pilot are rare, but less rare than suicide by pilot incidents.

Consider what would have happened on BA 5390, for example, if only one pilot had been in the cockpit with the cockpit door locked.

I actually asked the crew and that was the reason stated.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com