National taekwondo coach Le Minh Khuong is considering filing a complaint to top government officials after aviation authorities found him guilty of “disturbing the peace” aboard a domestic Vietnam Airlines flight last month.

Mr. Le Minh Khuong

The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV)’s statement is untrue and not objective, Khuong’s lawyer Tran Thu Nam said, adding his client could appeal to Minister of Transport Ho Nghia Dung and even Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and President Nguyen Minh Triet.

The agency had come to the conclusion without giving Khuong a chance to explain his position, the lawyer explained.

He would do everything possible to prove that his client had not violated flight safety regulations.

Khuong has also accused Da Nang Airport security staff of beating and humiliating him.

After a meeting with the CAAV on May 18, Khuong did not sign the minutes of the meeting since it was neither correct nor objective, he said.

As of yesterday evening, the CAAV had not informed Khuong of any penalties, he said.

If it did, besides complaining to the leaders, Khuong could also seek assistance from the Consumer Protection Association, he said.

“We anticipate a penalty or even a no-fly ban for my client. But we will try our best to protect the truth.”

Newswire VnExpress quoted Khuong as saying he was not surprised at the CAAV’s conclusion and had expected it.

Flight incident summary

The trouble occurred aboard flight VNA1169 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on April 18.

Due to bad weather, the plane had to make an unscheduled stop in Da Nang where Khuong and his father asked to leave the aircraft.

Captain Ivanov and chief of the cabin crew, Trinh Thi Hoa, rejected their request, saying this would further delay takeoff.

When the plane prepared to leave Da Nang, Khuong allegedly began to shout and refused to return to his seat in economy class.

For safety reasons, the crew decided to return to the terminal and report the case to Da Nang Airport security.

Four officers boarded the plane and asked Khuong to leave and, when he refused, forcibly removed him.

In a statement, Tu Van Suu of the Da Nang Airport Security Services Company said the officers had not assaulted Khuong.

The CAAV too said Khuong was treated in a proper manner.

Khuong’s lawyer, Tran Thu Nam, told Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper that his client only wanted the incident to be clarified.

“Khuong only wishes to establish what is right and what is wrong. If Vietnam Airlines staff did wrong, they must apologize.”

Source: Tuoi Tre/VNE