EVA Air Probes Pilot After Alleged Assault During Taxi at LAX

Taiwan-based carrier EVA Air has suspended a pilot and launched a formal investigation following allegations that he assaulted a first officer while the aircraft was taxiing prior to takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport.

According to a report published on January 1 by Taiwan-based outlet Reporter Taiwan, the incident occurred during pre-departure taxiing when a Malaysian first officer reportedly warned the Taiwanese captain, identified by the surname Wen (文), that the aircraft was exceeding the taxi speed limit of 30 knots. The report said the first officer raised the concern several times without response.

When the warnings were ignored, the first officer allegedly applied the brakes manually, an action described as being in line with standard operating procedures designed to ensure safe ground operations. The captain reportedly reacted angrily to the intervention and struck the first officer at least four times, causing swelling and bruising to the back of one hand.

A whistleblower cited in the report expressed concern that the airline’s emergency response procedures were not immediately activated and questioned why a pilot described as “emotionally unstable” was permitted to continue the flight. The source warned that allowing the situation to proceed could have placed passenger safety at risk. The report said the incident occurred “recently,” but did not specify an exact date.

In a statement issued Saturday, EVA Air confirmed it had opened an internal investigation as soon as it became aware of the allegations and had suspended the pilot from flying duties pending the outcome. The airline said it is still working to verify the full sequence of events.

EVA Air added that data from the aircraft’s quick access recorder (QAR) indicated the aircraft was operating within regulatory limits while taxiing and was not exceeding the permitted speed. The airline said QAR data has been submitted to the relevant aviation authorities and urged the public not to “spread misinformation” while the investigation is ongoing.

Once the internal inquiry is complete, the pilot will be referred to EVA Air’s disciplinary review board for further action, the airline said.

Separately, Civil Aeronautics Administration of Taiwan confirmed that it has opened its own investigation into the incident. The regulator said it would impose legal penalties if it determines that any crew actions compromised flight safety.

The case has drawn attention to cockpit discipline and crew resource management, principles that are central to modern aviation safety. Industry experts note that any allegation of physical confrontation on the flight deck is treated with extreme seriousness, particularly during critical phases of operation such as ground movement and departure preparation.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, focustaiwan.tw