Investigations have revealed that two Air India pilots took a 40-minute break from the cockpit leaving two flight attendants in-charge of flying the plane on a Bangkok-Delhi flight.

Putting the lives of 166 passengers on the flight in danger, the pilots reportedly left the cockpit for taking rest in the aircraft’s other section. The incident raised concerns when one of the flight attendants accidentally turned off the auto-pilot and this forced the pilots to rush back to their seats in the cockpit.

The incidence happened on Air India flight AI 133 from Bangkok to Delhi on April 12 that took from Bangkok on schedule, at 8.55 am for the Indian capital. First Officer Ravindra Nath left eth cockpit for a bathroom break 30 minutes into the flights leaving flight attendant J Bhatt to occupy his seat while Captain B K Soni called another flight attendant, Kanika Kala and left her on his seat. The captain event spent some time teaching them how to operate the plane, according to reports.

Meanwhile, the airline has denied reports stating that the cockpit was never abandoned by the cockpit crew. Air India said in a statement, “Based on a report that two cabin crew members were in the cockpit for a prolonged period on the said flight, the airline management proactively summoned the cockpit and cabin crew for an enquiry. As the enquiry confirmed the over stay of the cabin crew in the cockpit, administrative action was taken against them and the pilot. They have been suspended pending the final enquiry of the incident.”