efq
16-03-2008, 02:26 PM
Air traffic controllers are investigating whether two pilots nodded off while flying 40 passengers between two islands in Hawaii.
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1661024.jpg Honolulu airport
The flight deck of the trip from Honolulu to Hilo operated by the Go! airline failed to respond to air traffic controllers 11 times as it overshot its destination by 15 miles.
According to tape recordings of the flight, a controller was unable to contact the pilots when she tried to call them about 15 minutes after the plane left Honolulu.
Finally, about 32 minutes into the flight, the captain responded.
The controller is heard saying: "Air shuttle 1002, guys, I've been trying to contact you for the last 90 to 100 miles.
She added: "I understand you've passed Hilo, I'm going to turn you back to the northeast bound to get you back to the Hilo airport.
"Is there some kind of emergency situation going on?"
"Uh, no emergency situation," the unnamed captain said.
After listening to the tapes, an airline analyst Peter Foreman told the local TV station KGMB that it was clear something was wrong.
"By the time you get 60 miles from your destination, it's time to descend," he said.
"So obviously someone was not minding the store."
The National Transportation Safety Board has said the flight had no mechanical problems.
Its preliminary report reached no conclusion as to why the plane overshot Hilo International Airport.
Go!'s parent company, Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group, grounded both pilots while the investigations continued.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1309476,00.html
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1661024.jpg Honolulu airport
The flight deck of the trip from Honolulu to Hilo operated by the Go! airline failed to respond to air traffic controllers 11 times as it overshot its destination by 15 miles.
According to tape recordings of the flight, a controller was unable to contact the pilots when she tried to call them about 15 minutes after the plane left Honolulu.
Finally, about 32 minutes into the flight, the captain responded.
The controller is heard saying: "Air shuttle 1002, guys, I've been trying to contact you for the last 90 to 100 miles.
She added: "I understand you've passed Hilo, I'm going to turn you back to the northeast bound to get you back to the Hilo airport.
"Is there some kind of emergency situation going on?"
"Uh, no emergency situation," the unnamed captain said.
After listening to the tapes, an airline analyst Peter Foreman told the local TV station KGMB that it was clear something was wrong.
"By the time you get 60 miles from your destination, it's time to descend," he said.
"So obviously someone was not minding the store."
The National Transportation Safety Board has said the flight had no mechanical problems.
Its preliminary report reached no conclusion as to why the plane overshot Hilo International Airport.
Go!'s parent company, Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group, grounded both pilots while the investigations continued.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1309476,00.html