Both Austral Líneas Aéreas pilots caught filming River Plate Stadium fireworks on final approach Buenos Airport

Austral Líneas Aéreas, a domestic airline of Argentina, the sister company of Aerolíneas Argentinas has summoned two of its Argentinian pilots. What happened? On final approach towards Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport, Argentina they noticed fireworks above the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, also referred to as the River Plate stadium. The fireworks show is a tradition before every game, and that evening with more importance as it was a game between River Plate and Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores Semi final.

While the aircraft was approaching the runway, on auto-pilot, both pilots were filming the fireworks above the stadium (approximately 400 meters from the glide path). None of the pilots seemed to be paying attention to the instruments and the upcoming landing.

The video went viral on social media, but – next to a lot of “hits” – the pilots will have some headaches as they now have to provide text and explanation to their employer Austral. The company will conduct an investigation, but according to sources within the company it is unlikely that the pilots will be sanctioned.