United Airlines and FAA Investigate Rockies Coach’s Pilot Seat Prank: A Clear Violation of Safety Policies

United Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration are launching an investigation into a video shared by Hensley Meulens, the hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies, which showed him sitting in one of the pilots’ seats during a charter flight from Denver to Toronto. The video was posted on Instagram by Meulens and showed him joking about landing the plane while inside the cockpit at cruising altitude.

The incident is a violation of company policy and FAA regulations. Meulens, 56, was hired by the Rockies in 2022 as their hitting coach. Prior to this role, he had coached for the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants. He also played for two MLB teams and in Japan and Korea between 1989-2000.

United Airlines released a statement expressing deep concern over the video, calling it a clear violation of their safety and operational policies. The pilots have been suspended from flying pending the outcome of the investigation into the incident.