Lack of response from a Jet Airways London-Mumbai flight caused panic in the German air traffic control last month, as pilots overlooked the low volume on their headsets and did not communicate for almost 30 minutes.
Both pilots of flight 9W-117 were taken off the roster for two weeks during the investigations into the "serious" incident, which occured on March 13 barely five days after the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH-370, official sources said here.
The incident led the German air traffic control DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH to panic and later shoot off a complaint to the Indian regulator DGCA which launched an immediate probe.
Simultaneously, Jet Airways' Permanent Inquiry Board also inquired into the incident involving a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft registered as VT-JEG.
DGCA officials also summoned Jet's operations officers for a meeting in Mumbai late last month.
It was found that the pilots had overlooked the low volume on their headsets and said in their official deposition that they had removed their headphones, resulting in a break in communication, the sources said.
The pilots had not responded to the air traffic control callouts while the plane was over the German airspace for almost 25 minutes, they said.
As per the routine practice, German ATC immediately informed the airline which sent an SMS to the cockpit via the ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) fitted in the aircraft. The pilots responded to the SMS and apologised to the German ATC for not responding earlier, the sources said.
ACARS is a digital datalink system for transmission of short messages between aircraft and ground stations via airband radio or satellite.
Jet Airways has sent their probe report to DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, which had sought it within ten days.
The sources said DGCA was awaiting a response from the German ATC to effect a closure to the investigation and the case.
A Jet spokesperson said the incident was probed and the pilots were off flying for two weeks.
"Based on the investigation report, Jet Airways has ensured strict disciplinary action towards the concerned pilots. The report has been sent to the German authorities for closure," the spokesperson said, adding, "At Jet Airways, we endeavour to maintain the highest standards of safety for our guests, at all times.
