FAA investigating a former pilot who allegedly fell asleep at the controls
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident that occurred on 24 June, in which a former Boston MedFlight pilot allegedly fell asleep while conducting a flight to a Boston hospital from Martha’s Vineyard.
In a statement, Boston MedFlight CEO Maura Hughes said that pilot overflew the designated helipad at the hospital, but that the patient was still transported successfully and that no one on board the flight sustained any injuries. Hughes noted that fatigue played a factor in the ‘isolated incident’ and, as such, the company is now working with a fatigue management consultant to review its policies and procedures to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
"Throughout our 34-year history as a non-profit organisation providing critical care medical transport to over 75,000 patients in need, the safety of our patients and crews has always been our highest priority," Hughes said.
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