Pilots suspended for ignoring orders

Three pilots from Chengdu Airlines have been suspended from their posts for landing a passenger plane at Nanjing airport, disregarding civil aviation authorities' orders when weather conditions did not allow for landing or taking off.

The three ignored ground instructions to wait for better visibility and decided to land the plane after an 81-minute flight from Chengdu on April 5, the 21st Century Business Herald reported on Friday.

The newspaper cited the content of a telegram from civil aviation authorities that has not been disclosed to the public.

The pilots were banned from any flying duties, and were investigated soon after landing, the report said, adding that the captain risks loss of license. Chengdu Airlines has yet to announce any punishment.

The Southwest Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China is carrying out the investigation.