Lives of around 340 people flying from London to Mumbai on New Year day were put in peril as pilots fought each other and one leaving the cockpit.

The incident took place on the Jet Airways flight and the airline has de-rostered both the pilots.  

The airline has reported the matter to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The incident took place when the Commander of the plane, which was flying 324 passengers and 14 crew members, is reported to have slapped the woman co-pilot mid-air following which she left the cockpit.

She was in tears and after much coaxing by cabin crew, she then returned the cockpit. However, a fight once again broke out between the pilots prompting the woman co-pilot to once again come out.

This panicked the cabin crew who kept on requesting the co-pilot to return to the cockpit keeping in mind the safety of fliers, whose journey time was nine hours.

In between, the commander also left the cockpit to request the co-pilot to return. This was against safety protocol.

According to Jet Airways, a "misunderstanding" occurred between the cockpit crew. However, it was "quickly resolved amicably" and the flight continued its journey to Mumbai and landed safely.