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Pilots May Have Dozed Off Before Landing

Feds open investigation after plane overshoots airport by 150 miles

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 22, 2009 3:47 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Travel regulators suspect the pilots of a Northwest Airlines flight fell asleep in the cockpit yesterday. First clue: Controllers lost contact with the plane for more than an hour as it overshot its destination by 150 miles. The jet, en route from San Diego with 147 passengers aboard, finally turned and landed safely at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. The pilots claim they were in a "heated discussion over airline policy and they lost situational awareness," says the NTSB, which is investigating with the FAA.

"The pilots have been relieved from active flying pending the completion of these investigations," says Northwest parent Delta, as noted by the Wall Street Journal.

In this April 15, 2008, file photo, Delta and Northwest Airlines planes taxi before takeoff at Logan International Airport in Boston.
In this April 15, 2008, file photo, Delta and Northwest Airlines planes taxi before takeoff at Logan International Airport in Boston.   (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file)
A Northwest Airlines jet carrying members of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team is welcomed with a spray of water from the LAI airport fire department Monday, June 15, 2009, in Los Angeles.
A Northwest Airlines jet carrying members of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team is welcomed with a spray of water from the LAI airport fire department Monday, June 15, 2009, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Philip Scott Andrews)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
rkossik
Oct 23, 2009 12:06 PM CDT
Come on now folks. Who among us hasn't lost situational awareness during a discussion of airline policy?
bewilderbeast
Oct 23, 2009 9:42 AM CDT
Correct, rkossik: Pilot 1 to Pilot 2: Where were we again?
bewilderbeast
Oct 23, 2009 9:39 AM CDT
Pay has been cut 40% TO WHAT? What is the new, reduced pay? My guess is: STILL SUFFICIENT to stay awake "at the wheel".
Money • Science • US

 
Northwest Airlines • airport • pilot • pilot fatigue • nap • National Transportation Safety Board

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