A UK-operated passenger plane was left flying on autopilot when its two pilots both fell asleep.
One of the pilots indicated they had nodded off after each having only five hours’ sleep in two nights, according to a report by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority.
The CAA did not say which airline was involved nor where the aircraft, an Airbus A330, was going.
The case has emerged as debate rages over proposed European changes to flying regulations.
A CAA spokesman said: “This was a serious incident but an isolated one. I think lessons will be learnt from this.
“We don’t know why the pilots had had so little sleep before this flight. They were taking it in turn to have rest periods, with the one always checking the autopilot, and it looks as if both fell asleep at the same time.”
But UK pilots’ organisation Balpa said the incident, on August 13, “comes as no surprise”, adding it had “warned the CAA of the risk of both pilots falling asleep” before.
It said the EU proposals, which include plans to allow pilots to land an aircraft having been awake for 22 hours and operate longer-haul flights with only two crew rather than the current three, were “flawed in many areas”.
General secretary Jim McAuslan said: “As the regulator responsible for UK flight safety, the CAA has been far too complacent.
“In fact, the CAA and Government are backing EU cuts to UK flight safety that will increase tiredness among pilots.”
The CAA said today: “We understand that Balpa are not happy with the proposals but we think overall it is a good package.”
