FAA, United Investigate Cockpit Visitor During Colorado Rockies’ Flight

Airlines are often hired to operate charter flights for sports teams and other groups. Photo: Caroline Brehman/Shutterstock
The Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines are investigating how a person traveling with a Major League Baseball team was seen sitting in the captain’s chair of the cockpit during the team’s flight from Denver to Toronto.

The incident occurred during a charter flight operated by United on April 10 for the Colorado Rockies, people familiar with the matter said. A Rockies representative didn’t respond to requests for comment.In April 2024, a significant aviation security incident involving the Colorado Rockies baseball team and United Airlines drew attention from federal authorities and the public. The event centered around an unauthorized cockpit visit during a charter flight, leading to investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines.

Incident Overview

On April 10, 2024, during a United Airlines charter flight from Denver to Toronto, Hensley Meulens, the Colorado Rockies’ hitting coach, entered the cockpit while the aircraft was at cruising altitude. A video posted on social media, later deleted, showed Meulens seated in the pilot’s seat, joking about flying and landing the plane. He remarked, “I’m going to land the plane tonight. So relax,” and mimicked interacting with the flight controls, stating, “I just press this button … and it goes down.”

Regulatory Violations

Federal regulations, tightened after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, strictly prohibit unauthorized individuals from accessing the flight deck during flight. These measures are in place to ensure passenger safety and maintain the integrity of flight operations. United Airlines’ policies also mandate that cockpit doors remain closed during flights, even on chartered operations.

Investigations and Immediate Actions

Upon the video’s emergence, United Airlines expressed deep concern, stating, “We’re deeply disturbed by what we see in that video, which appears to show an unauthorized person in the flight deck at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged.” The airline reported the incident to the FAA and temporarily removed the involved pilots from service pending the investigation.

The FAA confirmed its investigation, emphasizing that “federal regulations restrict flight deck access to specific individuals.” Details of the ongoing investigation were not disclosed.

Reactions from the Colorado Rockies

Rockies manager Bud Black addressed the situation, noting that Meulens had apologized to the team and United Airlines. Black stated, “Bam-Bam, he apologized. I can’t comment really any further because of what is being called an investigation of the matter.” He confirmed that Meulens’ position with the team was not in jeopardy.

Aviation Experts’ Perspectives

Aviation professionals highlighted the seriousness of the breach. Chad Kendall, an aviation professor at Metro State University Denver, remarked, “This was a clear lapse of judgment.” He emphasized that regulations allow only crew members and authorized personnel access to the flight deck. Kendall also noted that, despite the flight being chartered, it was bound by standard air carrier regulations.

Potential Consequences

The incident raised concerns about potential repercussions for the involved parties. Aviation experts suggested that the pilots could face actions ranging from suspension to certificate revocation by the FAA, depending on the investigation’s findings. Employment actions from United Airlines were also possible.

Broader Implications for United Airlines

This event added to a series of challenges for United Airlines, including previous incidents involving mechanical issues and emergency landings. The FAA had already increased oversight of the airline, and this unauthorized cockpit access incident further underscored the need for stringent adherence to safety protocols.

The unauthorized cockpit visit during the Colorado Rockies’ charter flight highlighted critical issues related to aviation security and protocol adherence. The ongoing investigations by the FAA and United Airlines aimed to address these breaches and reinforce the importance of strict compliance with safety regulations to ensure the well-being of all passengers and crew.