A general aviation aircraft – a Piper PA-31 – missed its intended destination in Australia by nearly 30 miles recently as the pilot ‘fell asleep’ in the plane’s cockpit.
As reported by the BBC, the freight flight, operated by Vortex Air, was piloted by one individual and was intended to fly a course between Devonport and King Island in Tasmania earlier this month.
The incident is currently being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. The report stated that the pilot fell asleep and flew 46km over the destination.
A full report will be available next year after the board intends to interview the pilot and review its operating procedures.