Pilot misses landing because he was catching some ZZZs
AUSTRALIA — A small plane missed its landing in Australia by about 30 miles or so because the pilot was sleeping in the cockpit.
According to the BBC, Maverick was the only person on the freight flight from Devonport to King Island in Tasmania on November 8.
Apparently, the Vortex Air Piper PA-31 plane was set to finish a 150 mile trip and touch down at 7:15 local time.
With some time to kill, the pilot set the aircraft on autopilot, and according to a Vortex Air statement, "unintentionally fell asleep while in command of the aircraft."
"The issue became apparent when air traffic control was unable to contact the pilot in-flight and the aircraft traveled past the intended destination point," the statement said.
According to The Australian newspaper, air traffic control made several radio calls to pilot while he was counting sheep.
Goose eventually woke up and turned the plane around to land safely on King Island.
Looks like the pilot had almost no sleep the night before due to a personal crisis.
According to the AP, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are investigating the incident.
According to the BBC, Maverick was the only person on the freight flight from Devonport to King Island in Tasmania on November 8.
Apparently, the Vortex Air Piper PA-31 plane was set to finish a 150 mile trip and touch down at 7:15 local time.
With some time to kill, the pilot set the aircraft on autopilot, and according to a Vortex Air statement, "unintentionally fell asleep while in command of the aircraft."
"The issue became apparent when air traffic control was unable to contact the pilot in-flight and the aircraft traveled past the intended destination point," the statement said.
According to The Australian newspaper, air traffic control made several radio calls to pilot while he was counting sheep.
Goose eventually woke up and turned the plane around to land safely on King Island.
Looks like the pilot had almost no sleep the night before due to a personal crisis.
According to the AP, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are investigating the incident.