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A professional pilot is under investigation after falling asleep in the cockpit of a cargo transport plane and having missed his destination in Tasmania over 46km, officials said. .
The pilot, who was not identified, was the only person on board the Piper PA-31 Navajo Chieftain with twin propellers. He was flying the autopilot on the morning of November 8th from Devonport, Tasmania, 250 km northwest of King Island, Bass Strait, his employer, Vortex Air, said in a statement.
The pilot "fell asleep involuntarily while ordering the plane," said the Melbourne-based airline.
"The problem became evident when the air traffic control could not contact the pilot in flight and the aircraft exceeded the intended destination while using the autopilot," the statement said. .
Air traffic control records showed that several radio calls were made to the unresponsive pilot, L & # 39; Australian newspaper reported.
The pilot landed safely on King Island, said Vortex Air.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are investigating this incident and the company's management of pilot fatigue.
The office confirmed that the plane had flown over King Island Airport 46 km because of the pilot who was sleeping. He indicated that he would interview the pilot and review Vortex Air's operational procedures prior to the release of a report of the incident.
Vortex Air stated that the 6:20 am flight was the first day of returning to work after the pilot's leave. He continued to fly that day.
The newspaper reported that the pilot had gone to work despite the fact that he had not slept or slept the previous night due to a personal crisis.
"Vortex Air takes the safety of its passengers, crew and pilots very seriously and scrupulously complies with all safety procedures," the airline said.
"This is an extremely rare case, as shown by the company's excellent record of safety," the text adds.
The company said it was helping the pilot to "resume his duties safely."
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