A 15-minute micro-nap is often recommended to recharge the batteries. But it becomes dangerous when exercised during work time, even more so for an airplane pilot. Yet this is what happened on the night of April 30 to May 1 to a pilot from the Italian company ITA Airways on a flight between New York and Rome. During the overflight of the Marseilles region, it drowsy for 10 minutes while his co-pilot was taking his nap (allowed by protocol), reports Business InsiderMonday May 30, citing Republic.
The French control tower tried to reach the cockpit around 5:30 a.m., without response, and repeated its calls. The Captain not responding to any attempt to communicate for 10 minutes, the French authorities became concerned and triggered a terrorist alert for the Airbus A330. They were calling the Air Force to request an intervention when the captain finally called them back. The airline had just managed to reach the two pilots via their satellite cell phones.
More fear than harm. The passengers were not endangered, the autopilot having been engaged. The story ends less well for the pilot who denies having fallen asleep and claims a radio problem. After an investigation, he was fired for gross misconduct by his company.
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