Flying a 737 single engine for 2:20 hours

[Gabriel]

A Smartwings Boeing 737-800, registration OK-TVO performing flight QS-1125 from Samos (Greece) to Prague (Czech Republic) with 170 people on board, was enroute at FL360 over the Aegean Sea about 100nm northeast of Athens (Greece) when the crew drifted the aircraft down to FL240 and continued to Prague at FL240 for a landing without further incident about 2:20 hours later.

http://avherald.com/h?article=4cbe8434&opt=0

On top of that, the airline declared:

The crew proceeded in accordance with the safety and operational procedures for these cases and the aircraft landed safely. The commander is one of the most experienced in the company, the crew was in control of the situation and certainly would not underestimate anything.

Flyboy, do you know if there is an equivalent to 14 CFR 121.565 that applies in Europe?

121.565 Engine inoperative: Landing; reporting.
Whenever an airplane engine fails or whenever an engine is shutdown to prevent possible damage, the pilot in command must land the airplane at the nearest suitable airport, in point of time, at which a safe landing can be made.

[3WE]

It appears “we” are having fun at the AvHeraldie comment thread.

The pilots actions seem a bit off, and I’d think illegal.

...The effect on safety? Statistically slim, and not nearly as bad as a trip around the pattern in a piston single.

It IS something for eye rolling and admonishment.

[Gabriel]

...The effect on safety? Statistically slim

The really unsafe situation here is having the chief pilot and director of operations of an airline deciding that as a PIC he has the authority to do whatever pleases him for the sake of convenience and in detriment of safety (and possibly of regulations and/or procedures)and an airline that supports such decision making process.

[3WE]

chief pilot and director of operations of

Power corrupts...

(And PR departments spin things)

[ocelot]

At least he appears to now be former. But, also, not former enough...

[Gabriel]

At least he appears to now be former. But, also, not former enough...

Indeed

an internal investigation conducted by Smartwings identified there was no systemic fault, but a crew error. The captain of the flight, at that time head of flight operations of Smartwings, is no longer head of flight operations, his deputy has now taken that position. The captain continues to fly for the airline and maintains privileges as instructor, examiner and TRE

[3WE]

Oceie: ...not_former enough...

Gabiee: Indeed

...instructor, examiner...

3WEie: It's not_that bad; there's the ole adage that: "those who can, do, those who can't, teach (and/or become administrators)"

We[no italics] should remember that.

[monchavo]

At least he appears to now be former. But, also, not former enough...

I wonder in what possible universe he thought his actions were acceptable.

[Gabriel]

At least he appears to now be former. But, also, not former enough...

I wonder in what possible universe he thought his actions were acceptable.

In the universe where the airline thought that all was cool and released a statement saying: "The crew proceeded in accordance with the safety and operational procedures for these cases and the aircraft landed safely. The commander is one of the most experienced in the company, the crew was in control of the situation and certainly would not underestimate anything."