For the benefit of our readers, below is a link to an excellent Reuters report which describes sleep inertia on the part of an Air Canada trans-Atlantic co-pilot who awoke suddenly from a nap (while the captain was controlling the aircraft) and thought that Venus was an approaching aircraft on a collision course.
The January 2011 incident aboard a Boeing 767 injured sixteen people aboard the aircraft when the airliner suddenly dove to avoid a perceived collision which was imaginary.
http://news.yahoo.com/sleepy-air-canada-pilot-thought-venus-plane-175953259
COMMENT: What is most noteworthy in the Reuter's report is the fact that Air Canada has two flight officers aboard trans-Atlantic flights compared to three aboard US carriers on similar flights to ensure that pilots are well-rested.
Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) analysis also revealed that the co-pilot had napped for nearly 75 minutes in violation of Air Canada's maximum of 40 minutes, to preclude pilots dropping into a deep sleep.
For a complete copy of the TSB report, go to:
http://tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/aviation/2011/a11f0012/a11f0012.asp
The January 2011 incident aboard a Boeing 767 injured sixteen people aboard the aircraft when the airliner suddenly dove to avoid a perceived collision which was imaginary.
http://news.yahoo.com/sleepy-air-canada-pilot-thought-venus-plane-175953259
COMMENT: What is most noteworthy in the Reuter's report is the fact that Air Canada has two flight officers aboard trans-Atlantic flights compared to three aboard US carriers on similar flights to ensure that pilots are well-rested.
Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) analysis also revealed that the co-pilot had napped for nearly 75 minutes in violation of Air Canada's maximum of 40 minutes, to preclude pilots dropping into a deep sleep.
For a complete copy of the TSB report, go to:
http://tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/aviation/2011/a11f0012/a11f0012.asp
