Asleep at wheel but Kiwi plane just fine

Air New Zealand says even though one of the two pilots fell into a deep sleep at the controls of the international flight "safety was not compromised at any point". Picture: Mark Coote/Bloomberg Source: Bloomberg

AIR New Zealand said that one of its pilots fell into a deep sleep while at the controls of an international flight but insisted that safety aboard the aircraft was never compromised.

He was one of two pilots flying a 332-seat Boeing 777-300ER from London to Los Angeles in November 2011, according to a report released after a freedom of information request.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document said the pilot voluntarily submitted a "fatigue report" with the regulator, recounting how he slept on the job.

The pilot, who was not identified, blamed a poor night's rest in London, when air-conditioning problems in his hotel meant he had to change rooms three times, for his exhausted state on the flight.

"I suddenly, and without any warning, fell into a deep sleep on the flight deck. The same event occurred twice," he said.

Air New Zealand said safety was paramount for the airline and it encouraged staff to report instances of fatigue as part of a programme to manage shift rosters to address the issue.

It said the flight in question had three pilots aboard.

"During the cruise phase of the flight one of the two operating pilots nodded off twice for around a minute and woke spontaneously," it said in a statement.

"The other operating pilot on the flight deck was aware of this and safety was not compromised at any point."

Air New Zealand said the pilot would not face disciplinary action as it did not want to discourage staff from reporting such incidents.
 

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Asleep at wheel but Kiwi plane just fine

Air New Zealand says even though one of the two pilots fell into a deep sleep at the controls of the international flight "safety was not compromised at any point". Picture: Mark Coote/Bloomberg Source: Bloomberg

AIR New Zealand said that one of its pilots fell into a deep sleep while at the controls of an international flight but insisted that safety aboard the aircraft was never compromised.

He was one of two pilots flying a 332-seat Boeing 777-300ER from London to Los Angeles in November 2011, according to a report released after a freedom of information request.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) document said the pilot voluntarily submitted a "fatigue report" with the regulator, recounting how he slept on the job.

The pilot, who was not identified, blamed a poor night's rest in London, when air-conditioning problems in his hotel meant he had to change rooms three times, for his exhausted state on the flight.

"I suddenly, and without any warning, fell into a deep sleep on the flight deck. The same event occurred twice," he said.

Air New Zealand said safety was paramount for the airline and it encouraged staff to report instances of fatigue as part of a programme to manage shift rosters to address the issue.

It said the flight in question had three pilots aboard.

"During the cruise phase of the flight one of the two operating pilots nodded off twice for around a minute and woke spontaneously," it said in a statement.

"The other operating pilot on the flight deck was aware of this and safety was not compromised at any point."

Air New Zealand said the pilot would not face disciplinary action as it did not want to discourage staff from reporting such incidents.
 

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Shot three times, man got behind wheel

Police investigate a suspected shooting after a wounded man drove himself to this Banyo address. Picture: Rikki-Lee Arnold Source: The Courier-Mail

A MAN has been taken to hospital with multiple gun shot wounds after driving himself to a home in Banyo and raising the alarm.

The man was reported to have suffered serious wounds at an unknown location before driving himself to a private residence in St Vincent's Road, in Brisbane's north.

Metro North RDO, Inspector Mark Laing said the 45-year-old man presented at the house in Banyo around 2.55am.

"He spoke to a person known to him and claimed to have been injured by a firearm," Insp Laing said.

"As a result the occupants of the residence contacted ambulance and police were advised."

Insp Laing said detectives and forensic investigators were at the scene this morning and secured the house and a vehicle.

It is still unknown however what exactly happened to the man and where he was when he suffered the wounds.

"The reasons for his injuries are still subject of investigation," Insp Laing said.

"What it was, how it was and all that is still under investigation."

Police investigate a suspected shooting after a wounded man drove himself to this Banyo address. Picture: Rikki-Lee Arnold

Insp Laing said he did not see the man before he was rushed to hospital where he is now undergoing surgery for "serious" injuries.

An emergency service spokeswoman said paramedics were called to the scene to treat the man for gun shot wounds.

While his condition is unknown it is understood the man was shot in his arm, shoulder and hip.

He was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

One officer remains at the scene guarding the house, at the corner of Chapel St.

Officers spoke briefly to one neighbour and also collected evidence in a brown paper bag.

It is understood that associates of the man living at the house raised the alarm.

The residents of the home are assisting police with their investigation into the incident.

Police investigate a suspected shooting after a wounded man drove himself to this Banyo address. Picture: Rikki-Lee Arnold

The suspected shooting follows two separate incidents in Brisbane on Thursday.

Police are hunting a gunman who shot a Pimpama man at his home yesterday during a bid to steal a utility and two trail bikes.

And a 24-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting a man in the face in an incident at Mount Gravatt.

At this stage, police do not consider the shootings to be linked.

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