The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia said in a general notice that cockpit distractions pose a significant threat to flight safety, particularly during operations below 10,000ft.
An industry source told FMT the notice could have arisen from cockpit voice recordings that the regulator has access to.
“There are also some pilots who post pictures and video clips on social media of scenes taken from the cockpit during landing or take-off,” the source said.
CAAM chief executive Norazman Mahmud said in the Aug 30 notice the recording and posting of videos during critical phases of flight are subject to the specific policies of each airline.
Non-compliance, as evidenced by such recordings, will result in disciplinary action against the person involved and potentially the airline as well.
No airline or incident was specified, but Norazman said the use of personal electronic devices can distract pilots, adding that even a momentary glance from instruments to check a device can result in loss of situational awareness.
He said conversations not related to the immediate operation of the flight, especially during critical phases, can draw attention away from necessary tasks and procedures.
“Requests or questions from passengers or cabin crew during key moments of a flight can disrupt the pilot’s focus.
“Unsecured items in the cockpit present significant risks, particularly during turbulence or other in-flight manoeuvres. These items may become a distraction and also potentially interfere with controls or instruments, creating hazardous conditions in-flight,” he said.
Norazman said such distractions can also lead to a pilot losing track of the aircraft’s position, altitude, or attitude, increasing the risk of controlled flight into terrain or other hazardous situations.
When distracted, he said pilots may fail to respond promptly to changing flight conditions or emergencies.
He said pilots should ensure all non-essential activities are avoided during the critical phases of flight, adding that all communication with air traffic controllers and flight crew members must be clear and concise, avoiding non-essential conversations.
“Cockpit distractions are a preventable risk that can compromise safety. By strictly adhering to regulations and company policies, focusing on essential tasks and minimising distractions, pilots can uphold the highest standards of safety throughout the flight,” he added.