Air China pilots suspected of smoking in cockpit

Air China has placed the pilots of a flight from Hong Kong to Dalian under investigation after claims of aircrew smoking in the cockpit, causing the plane to lose altitude mid-flight. In a statement released just over 24 hours after the incident, the airline vowed "zero tolerance" if crew members were found guilty of wrongdoing. Flight CA106 dropped 25,000 feet in 10 minutes on Tuesday night, flight data showed, triggering the release of oxygen masks from the cabin ceiling. The aircraft did not divert and continued on its journey, landing safely in the northern port city of Dalian. At least two passengers posted photos and videos on social media showing those on board wearing masks but looking calm. According to tracking website FlightRadar24, the 159-seater Boeing 737 suddenly began descending at 7.40pm between Shantou and Xiamen, half an hour after it took off from Hong Kong International Airport. An announcement was heard over the cabin speakers saying the aircraft was carrying out an emergency descent due to cabin decompression. The aircraft then continued to Dalian, the flight lasting three and a half hours. The Communist Party's media mouthpiece, the People's Daily, said the crew were suspected to have been smoking in the cockpit.<br/>