Why pilots can’t talk below 10,000 feet
In September 1974, Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 en route from Charleston plummeted into a hillside near Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
There were 82 individuals on board the flight and 69 immediately perished on impact and three passed away later due to injuries from the crash. Those who passed away included CBS Evening News editor John Merriman, 6th Naval District Rear Admiral Charles W Cummings and comedian Stephen Colbert’s father, Dr James Colbert.
Some officials first thought the crash was caused due to heavy fog but it was later discovered that the true cause was “poor cockpit discipline’ by the crew. The captain and first officer had engaged in small talk while trying to spot nearby Carowinds amusement park on the ground, which had distracted them.
Following this crash and other similar incidents, the Federal Aviation Administration enacted the Sterile Cockpit Rule in 1981. This rule stops “crew member performance of non-essential duties or activities while the aircraft is involved in taxi, takeoff, landing, and all other flight operations conducted below 10,000 feet.”
Air Safety, Health and Security Coordinator for the Association of Flight Attendants Candace Kolander said, “If you look at accident history, most incidents happen during takeoff or landing. The flight crew is supposed to concentrate on everything that can and can’t happen during those phases because that’s when you could have the biggest issues that could cause the aircraft to crash.”
Despite the regulation, crew chit chat is still an issue that is posing a serious danger to all onboard airplanes. An article in the Aviation Safety and Reporting System in June 1993 found that the most common cause of Sterile Cockpit violations was extraneous conversation. Other common causes included sightseeing, non-pertinent radio calls and PA announcements and distractions from flight attendants.
Flight attendants are not physically in the cockpit but it is vital that they uphold the Sterile Cockpit Rule as well.
“You cannot call the flight deck during Sterile Cockpit if, for instance, it’s too hot in the cabin, because that communication can wait. It’s about recognizing that crew up there is monitoring equipment and surroundings, and responding to takeoff or landing. That’s their primary focus,” said Candace Kolander.