Malaysian Co-Pilot Allegedly Punched By Captain 4x While Taxiing—EVA Air Flight Took Off Anyway

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Taiwanese airline EVA Air has suspended a pilot and launched an investigation after he allegedly punched his Malaysian first officer at least four times during a physical altercation in the cockpit while their plane was taxiing at Los Angeles International Airport.

The shocking part? The flight reportedly took off anyway, with the same crew.

The incident unfolded as the Malaysian first officer noticed that the Taiwanese captain, surnamed Wen, was taxiing above the speed limit of 30 knots (55.5km).

After warning Captain Wen several times to no avail, the first officer manually applied the brakes following standard operating procedure.

Captain Wen allegedly lost his temper and punched the first officer at least four times, leaving him with swelling and bruising on the back of one hand.

EVA Air Disputes Speeding Claim, Suspends Pilot

According to the whistleblower, no emergency response plan was activated after the assault, and the “emotionally unstable” pilot was allowed to continue flying the aircraft, potentially putting passengers’ safety at risk.

The flight proceeded to its destination with the same crew who had just been involved in a physical altercation.

On 4 January, EVA Air issued a statement saying data from the aircraft’s Quick Access Recorder showed the plane was complying with regulations while taxiing and was not speeding.

The airline launched an internal investigation immediately after learning of the incident and suspended Captain Wen from all flying duties.

Once the investigation concludes, the pilot will be referred to the airline’s disciplinary review board.

The Cockpit Hierarchy Problem

Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration has also opened its own investigation into the incident and will impose legal penalties if it finds that any crew member’s actions affected flight safety.

Captain Wen remains grounded pending the outcome of both investigations.

The case raises serious questions about why a first officer who followed safety protocols was allegedly assaulted, and why an injured crew member and an allegedly violent captain were allowed to continue operating the flight.

It also brings up an uncomfortable issue in aviation: the captain-versus-co-pilot power dynamic.

In some airline cultures, especially in parts of Asia, there’s a strong tradition of respecting authority.

Parts of this story have been sourced from Focus Taiwan and Guancha.

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Malaysian Co-Pilot Allegedly Punched By Captain 4x While Taxiing—EVA Air Flight Took Off Anyway
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