Two airline pilots may have fallen asleep over Hawaii

Published 11:55 pm Wednesday, February 20, 2008

HONOLULU — Falling asleep on the job is one thing. Falling asleep on the job while flying a commercial jet is another.

The Federal Aviation Administration wants to know what caused the pilots of a go! airliner to overshoot Hilo International Airport by 15 miles.

“We’re investigating whether the pilot and co-pilot of a Feb. 13 go! airlines flight fell asleep while the plane was in the air between Honolulu and Hilo,” FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said.

Midmorning Flight 1002 drifted off course during the 214-mile trip and had to turn back to get to the airport on the Big Island.

Air traffic controllers tracking the plane by radar were unable to contact the cockpit for 25 minutes, according to a report by KGMB-TV.

“The issue is currently under investigation, and we’re cooperating fully with the Federal Aviation Administration in that regard,” said Paul Skellon, vice president of communications for Mesa Air Group, the go! parent company. “Until such time the investigation is complete, we have no further comment.”

The flight landed safely.

But if the pilots did fall asleep, that would be a violation of FAA rules that could carry penalties ranging from a warning letter to license suspension or revocation.

Mesa launched go! in June 2006. It is the state’s four largest carrier, flying 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft.