2 Jul 202017:06 reconstruction31K views

Australian Pilot Falls ASLEEP on Solo flight | Overflew destination by 68 miles

Advertisement

Cessna SOLO Pilot FALLS ASLEEP during Flight! A Cessna pilot flying on his own from Cairns to Redcliffe in Australia fell asleep and overflew his destination by more than 110 kilometers, or 68 miles. The pilot was doing a ferry flight in a Cessna 208 Caravan when he suddenly stopped responding to air traffic control about his planned descent into Redcliffe.

Timeline
Cessna SOLO Pilot FALLS ASLEEP during Flight!
1.
Development of the situation
A Cessna pilot flying on his own from Cairns to Redcliffe in Australia fell asleep and overflew his destination by more than 110 kilometers, or 68 miles.
2.
Response or continuation
The pilot was doing a ferry flight in a Cessna 208 Caravan when he suddenly stopped responding to air traffic control about his planned descent into Redcliffe.
3.
Resolution or outcome described in the account
The controller suspected the pilot had become incapacitated and asked another pilot who was just departing Brisbane to intercept the Cessna and try to see what was happening.
4.

Accident Facts

Incident date
2 Jul 2020
Aircraft
Cessna 208
Category
Intercept, Medical, Control problem
Reconstruction
17:06

The controller suspected the pilot had become incapacitated and asked another pilot who was just departing Brisbane to intercept the Cessna and try to see what was happening. Listen to the real conversation from the afternoon of July 2, 2020. Read the report here: Unnecessary communications and pauses were trimmed for clarity.

The positions of the aircraft may not be 100% accurate. Only involved aircraft are shown. Animations are based on air traffic control communications and data from flight tracking services

Audio from the original air traffic control recording, sourced from public recordings and released investigation records. The reconstruction, animation and written account are our own.
Advertisement

The weekly incident