Majority of pilots fall asleep mid-flight due to fatigue

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 16:21 · Archive

A survey of 7,200 pilots found that 76.8% experienced microsleeps while operating aircraft in the previous four weeks.

A survey of 7,200 pilots commissioned by the European Cockpit Association found that 76.8% experienced microsleeps—brief, involuntary episodes where the brain is not processing information—while operating an aircraft in the four weeks before the study. The report warned that fatigue leads to these dangerous episodes and that flight duties often extend beyond legal maximums, with 38.8% of pilots reporting they usually or always lack sufficient rest.

Pilots are reluctant to report exhaustion because of fear of punishment. Only 37.2% said they report when unfit, while 24.2% do not report and fly anyway, citing fear of management backlash. The report noted that reporting systems are often ineffective and untrusted, with pilots fearing career consequences if they decline work hour extensions under a rule called Commander's Discretion. About 69.1% of those surveyed expressed concern about negative repercussions if they refused such extensions.

A commercial airline pilot told the Mirror that falling asleep in the cockpit was common and that aviation insiders did not care because 'no airplanes are falling from the sky'. The report flagged low-cost airlines and countries including Ireland and Malta as areas of particular concern, and warned that fatigue is 'underreported across the industry'.

How it is being reported

• Shocking air travel study finds majority of pilots fall asleep on the jobA study of 7,200 pilots found that 76.8% fell asleep while operating an aircraft, largely due to fatigue and fear of reporting exhaustion.New York Post · 28 Oct, 16:02
• Pilots are 'falling asleep' mid-flight as stark warning issued for airlinesA commercial airline pilot told the Mirror that falling asleep in the cockpit was common due to the long hours that aviators are required to work, following a damning European Cockpit Association reportThe Mirror · 28 Oct, 08:34

In this story: European Cockpit Association · Ireland · Malta

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log