Abroad
Taiwan pilot loses temper, punches M'sian colleague repeatedly while preparing to takeoff, airline investigating
The first officer allegedly tried to warn the pilot that he was speeding, but the airline rebutted the whistleblower's claim.
January 08, 2026, 12:12 PM
Taiwanese airline EVA Air has suspended a pilot after he allegedly punched a first officer repeatedly as their plane was taxiing for takeoff at the Los Angeles International Airport.
According to a Jan. 1 report by Taiwan's The Reporter, the pilot, surnamed Wen, was taxiing the plane on the runway at a speed that appeared faster than the legal limit of 30 knots (55.6kph).
The first officer, a Malaysian, allegedly tried many times to warn him, but got no response from Wen.
Finally, the officer manually applied the brakes, following standard operating procedure.
It purportedly caused the pilot to lose his temper in the cockpit, and he allegedly punched the first officer at least four times.
The report did not state the date of the incident, but said it happened recently.
Concerned
The whistleblower, speaking to The Reporter, questioned EVA Air's handling of the incident afterwards.
They claimed that the airline did not take action against Wen immediately, but allowed him to continue the flight despite his emotionally unstable condition.
It could have potentially endangered the passengers' safety, the whistleblower said.
The airline's response
After the media reports began circulating online, EVA Air responded with a statement on Jan. 3, saying that it has launched an investigation into the incident.
Wen has been suspended from flying for the time being and will be referred to the airline’s disciplinary review board for further review after investigations are completed, according to the statement published on The Reporter.
EVA Air also countered some of the whistleblower's claims.
According to data from the flight’s quick access recorder (QAR), the airline said, the plane was not speeding while taxiing, and was complying with regulations.
Records from the QAR have been submitted to regulatory agencies, the airline added.
Additionally, it said that it initiated an internal probe immediately after the incident and has provided assistance to Wen, including psychological counselling.
Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration has opened its own investigation into the incident, Taipei Times reported.
It said it will impose legal penalties if any of the crew’s actions are found to have affected flight safety.
Top images from Canva and EVA Air's website
