(NewsNation) — The Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines are investigating how an unauthorized person traveling on a charter flight found themselves sitting in the cockpit mid-flight.

This comes after a video of Colorado Rockies coach Hensley Meulens went viral, showing him sitting at the controls of a Boeing 757, mimicking pushing the plane’s yoke and giving a thumbs-up.

NewsNation travel editor joined “Morning in America” to discuss the investigation, saying the act broke federal regulation.

“Well it was a clear violation of not only of United Airlines rules, but of what we call the FAR, the federal air regulations, that prohibit any unauthorized person in the cockpit during the flight. In fact, once that cabin door is closed and the gate pushes back, no one can get up there,” Greenberg said. “Bottom line here is those pilots are in trouble.”

Airlines are often hired to operate charter flights for private groups, where the interactions between the crew and customers are more casual. But Greenberg says safety procedures are the same in charter flights as they are in commercial flights.

“There is a looser atmosphere on a charter flight because the presumption is you’re in control of the plane because you paid for it. But the federal air regulations don’t discriminate between a charter and a regular flight. If it’s operated by a commercial carrier, the rules apply to everybody.,” Greenberg told NewsNation.

United has been in the spotlight for some recent high-profile safety problems, triggering the FAA to increase oversight of the airline.

“The FAA is investigating this event,” a spokesperson told Denver’s KDVR FOX affiliate. “Federal regulations restrict flight deck access to specific individuals. We do not comment on the details of open investigations.”