By Carl Zhang
A failed pilot evaluation that ended with a China Southern Airlines captain stabbing two of his colleagues before jumping to his death in Changchun in the northeast Chinese province of Jilin on Tuesday has renewed public worries about flight safety.
The pilot, surnamed Li, 31, died after jumping out of a window, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Erdao district branch of the Changchun Public Security Bureau. His colleagues were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the report said, adding that an investigation was continuing.
Citing a person with knowledge of the incident, Guizhou Radio and TV Station (GZTV) reported that Li, a pilot with the company鈥檚 Jilin branch, had recently failed an evaluation and was not qualified to fly.
During a conversation with his superiors about the appraisal, Li attacked the flight department鈥檚 party committee secretary and a department manager, the insider said. He then smashed a window on the 15th floor of the building and jumped to his death.
The company evaluation determined that Li had a 鈥渓ack of understanding of rules and procedures鈥 such as communication failure procedures and the cockpit door electronic lock password, GZTV reported, citing an internal report provided by another insider.
The source said the internal report had recommended Li undergo 鈥渟ystematic and comprehensive training鈥 of the flight crew operating manual followed by a comprehensive 鈥渢heoretical verification鈥 conducted by the airline鈥檚 Jilin branch before Li could have his flight qualifications restored.
On social media, the incident has sparked worry and debate about China鈥檚 civil aviation safety. Some people commented that they had doubts about the airlines鈥 employee management and assessment system. But others argued that the company鈥檚 cautious approach was reasonable since any deviations from details and procedures in the aviation industry could lead to disaster.
鈥淚f civil aviation personnel bring their emotions from work disputes into flight missions, the consequences will be disastrous,鈥 wrote one Weibo user.
If you have suicidal thoughts or know someone who is experiencing them, help is available. In Hong Kong, you can dial 18111 for the government-run Mental Health Support Hotline. You can also call +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For a list of other nations鈥 helplines, see this page.