An airline pilot has been fined after failing to communicate with air traffic control during a flight, prompting the intervention of fighter jets. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced that Christopher Hollands, a 57-year-old from Richmond, southwest London, was found guilty of failing to maintain radio communication during an SAS Connect flight from Oslo, Norway, to Manchester.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court imposed a fine of £4,511 on Hollands. A statement following the incident emphasised that the loss of communication posed a serious risk to flight safety.
RAF Typhoon Fighter Jets Scrambled
The incident occurred on 5 February 2024. The SAS Connect aircraft, carrying 58 passengers from Oslo to Manchester, lost radio communication with air traffic control for over half an hour. NATS, the air traffic control provider, identified the issue and reported it, triggering a security alert. As a result, the Royal Air Force (RAF) scrambled two Typhoon fighter jets.
The fighter jets escorted the passenger aircraft to Manchester Airport, where it was directed to a remote stand upon landing.
CAA’s First Prosecution: “Safety Breach Is Unacceptable”
The CAA stated that this was the first prosecution in the UK related to a loss of radio communication. Glenn Bradley, Head of Flight Operations at the CAA, commented:
“Aviation is one of the safest modes of transport. Maintaining this safety requires pilots to follow standard communication procedures. Loss of communication is a significant concern for both us and the Government. We continue to work with all stakeholders to prevent such incidents from occurring again.”
