Anyone know of pilot being terminated for refusing to fly an aircraft the he deemed unairworthy?

Question

this aircraft has had a reoccuring problem that it has been in maintenance for several times... which they (mechanics) have said over and over again was fixed.....only to have the same thing happen again. I have just had it up over my head and now refuse to fly it anymore citing a PIC's responsibility to determine whether an aircraft is airworthy or not. Any more thoughts?

Answer 1

Sounds like maybe you should be thinking more about leaving on your own.

Answer 2

I don't know any personally, but I know it does happen on occasion. There are systems in place to prevent such an occurance at any major, or reputable airline for that matter. But smaller operations in more remote regions run shady operations... I've heard of operators trying to make pilots fly clearly unairworthy airplanes, and threatening them with takign away their job. The problem of course is that there's always someone looking to take the job and fly the plane... airworthy of not.

Answer 3

Here's an example where the pilot thought that even HE was unairworthy. Pilots that are able to recognize their iwn inability to fly has great skill.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2...

Answer 4

I wasn't terminated immediately but did experience constructive discharge. It sounds like you need some aviation legal help.  Are you a member of AOPA?  I understand your situation:  its either your job or your life.  If they replace you and nothing bad happens, how does that make you look!?  If you're sure you won't die then the worry becomes bending the airplane.  If they want to push for flying as usual, maybe getting a written statement to hold you harmless in the event of... might be something you should pursue.  Thats where a lawyer comes in.  Could be worth a hundred bucks or two.

Answer 5

I guess such thing is Australian.

Such a  pilot likes cangaroos better than navigation.

Answer 6

No. That is why the operator hires people to drive his airplanes. If a computer operated it, there is no way it could have the survival instinct a pilot does.

Answer 7

As I've admitted I'm not current, but in the days.  A Pilot was offered an Aircraft with a clean sheet.  If there was something on the yellow sheet that had not been cleared and risk to flight he was under no obligation to accept it.  

except unusual circumstances like "Mission Essential" he had the option to accept an uncleared item. Like getting out.  But my memory is old and military.  I can't see a commercial pilot buying off on an uncleared discrepancy. Nor would ge be held accountable for exercising 'Due diligence'.

Answer 8

yep. i fired one. it was airworthy. he was relying on a technicality in the MEL that did not apply in his situation. when he was informed of this he apparantly decided to make an issue of his command authority caring nothing about the passengers who could be legally and safely flown in that aircraft. his next command authority was excercised on somebody elses aircraft. i've always told my pilots that they are being paid not for the trips they take, but for the trips they refuse to take. but when you refuse, you better be right.

Answer 9

Yes.  A pilot was assigned a ferry flight in instrument meteorologial conditions.  The company's flight release stipulated VFR.  The pilot said he'd fly it if the director of operations would fax a statement that the flight could be done legally in IMC.  The director wouldn't do that.

Fired.

Answer 10

That's a question that you probably won't get an honest answer on in a format like this.  Why do you ask?

Answer 11

Yea it can happen.