Pilots fall asleep at controls

Transport Posted on 30/10/2012

•  
•  
•  

Records from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that have recently been made public have revealed that two pilots in charge of a plane full of passengers fell asleep at the controls.

The records also show other stories of a similar nature. For example, one pilot left the cockpit to use the toilet, and on return he found his co-pilot slumped over the controls and had to wake him up.

The records were released as a result of a Freedom of Information request by The Sun newspaper, yet no specific names, places, or airlines have been revealed as this would reportedly breach data protection laws.

These findings are supported by a recent poll of British Airways Pilot Association members, nearly half of whom admitted to falling asleep whilst on duty.

The news comes just after pilots voiced concerns last month about the increased working hours that could be caused by new rules from the EU. This could mean an increase from 18 to 22 hours in the current pilot's working day.

According to the Daily Mail, MPs have promised to investigate the dangers of 'pilot fatigue'.

•  
•  
•  

In brief : Transport