As a Pilot, have you ever fallen asleep unintentionally in a flight?

Question

I dont mean SOLO, since that would be so illegal that you might not want to mention it. But have you ever been on a flight with a pilot or co-pilot and accidentally fallen alseep at the controls?

Answer 1

why...have you?

Answer 2

NO.

Answer 3

As someone who flew in miltairy aircraft I can tell you I've witnessed several occasions of either the AC or copilot sleeping in the seat, usually due to the over-consumption of adult beverages.

Answer 4

no but i used to have to fight it every morning

Answer 5

Being a hot air balloon pilot and not having mastered the feat of sleeping while standing, I've never fallen asleep at the 'helm'.

Of all the aircraft I could choose to fall asleep in while piloting it, it would have to be a balloon, though probably helium rather than thermal.

Answer 6

There are occasional stories of solitary pilots dozing off, but it is easy to avoid, and few professionals have done it.  And it isn't likely to happen with two or more crew members on deck.

Though I do remember a news story from a couple of years ago in which two pilots both fell asleep in the middle of an all-night cross-continent flight, and had to be woken by ATC operators over the radio.  Nobody was hurt, but the pilots' careers ended.  This event actually occurred in 2004, so that will give you a sense of how rare such things are.

To answer your question straight out, no, in my 37 years of professional flying, I never came close to dozing off.

But it's a serious question, and I can see how it could happen.

Answer 7

nop, but a number of my colleagues in the seat next to me have... scary.

Answer 8

Honestly I don't think anyone is going to answer yes to this question even if they have.

Answer 9

File an IFR flight plan, then you will be too busy to fall asleep.

.

Answer 10

beleive it or not , i know of a pilot who was landing with about 200 persons & he was drunk , luckily he missed the accident & was suspended