Pilot locked out cockpit after in-flight toilet break

Ottawa - An Air Canada Jazz pilot who left the cockpit of his passenger jet to use a back washroom moments before landing found himself locked out upon his return, an airline official told AFP.

The pilot eventually busted into the cockpit and safely landed the Bombardier CRJ-100, but not before alarming some 50 passengers who watched him bang on the door and talk frantically with the cockpit through an onboard telephone for several minutes, according to local reports.

Air Canada Jazz spokeswoman Manon Stuart downplayed the incident, saying passengers "did not react and remained calm."

The first officer had remained on the flight deck, but was unable to open the jammed door, forcing the crew to remove it from its hinges with only 30 minutes remaining in the flight from Ottawa to Winnipeg, she said.

The first officer could have landed the jet himself and passengers were not in danger, she added.

"We investigated the incident on Saturday and the crew followed standard operational procedures. At no time was the safety or security of passengers compromised."

No explanation for the door jam was given.

"It's a very rare occurrence," Stuart said. "To the best of our knowledge, it's the first time we've encountered this problem in-flight." -- The Associated Press

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