In an unprecedented turn of events, the Colorado Rockies, already struggling with their worst start in franchise history, faced more turbulence this week. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines have initiated an investigation into a flight chartered by the team on April 10th. A video posted on Instagram by Rockies coach Hensley Meulens appeared to show him sitting in the pilot's seat during the flight.

The now-deleted Instagram video captured Meulens expressing his excitement about the unique experience, saying, "Had some fun in the cockpit on our flight from Denver to Toronto. Thanks to the captain and the first officer of our United charter that allowed me this great experience." However, this act has raised serious concerns regarding flight safety and protocol.

The FAA confirmed in a statement that they are actively investigating the incident. "Federal regulations restrict flight deck access to specific individuals. We do not comment on the details of open investigations," stated an administration spokesperson. Concurrently, United Airlines has suspended the involved pilots while conducting their own internal investigation. The airline expressed deep concern over the apparent presence of an unauthorized person in the flight deck at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged.

"We're deeply disturbed by what we see in that video, which appears to show an unauthorized person in the flight deck at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged. As a clear violation of our safety and operational policies, we've reported the incident to the FAA and have withheld the pilots from service while we conduct an investigation," United Airlines stated.

At the time of writing, the Colorado Rockies have not responded to a request for comment regarding the investigation. Despite the ongoing turbulence surrounding the team, they are scheduled to play against the Seattle Mariners at home on Friday. Their current record stands at 4-15 after a recent loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.

This investigation comes as a setback for the Colorado Rockies, who are already dealing with a disappointing start to the season. As authorities delve into the incident, questions arise about the importance of adhering to strict flight safety regulations and respecting operational protocols. The outcome of the investigation will determine the consequences for those involved and shed light on whether further action is necessary to ensure the safety and integrity of future team charters.