A PILOT was forced to fly a packed plane in circles around an airport after the sole traffic controller fell asleep on the job.
Passengers on the flight from Paris to Corsica were left waiting in mid-air after a worker dozed off mid-shift.
WikipediaThe Air Corsica plane was forced to circle the airport below for nearly 20 minutes while staff worked to resolve the issue[/caption]
AlamyThe flight eventually landed safety at Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport, Corsica[/caption]
Not known, clear with picture deskFlight Radar 24 footage traces the flight as it went around in circles, waiting to land[/caption]
The plane was forced to fly around in circles above the Mediterranean sea for 18 minutes, France‘s civil aviation authority revealed on Wednesday.
After the sole worker on the ground at Ajaccio took a nap, the Air Corsica flight from Paris Orly airport was left stranded in the air.
The pilot was then left to put plans in place for a route diversion, as landing at the planned destination seemed unlikely.
However, after nearly 20 minutes in the air, they were eventually rescued and guided safely onto the runway after the traffic controller was woken up.
The controller had been waiting for the plane, which was an hour late, when he dozed off in the middle of his shift.
He was also the only member of staff working the shift, so no one was around to wake him from the slumber.
This meant he failed to light up the single 2,400-metre runway.
Unable to land safely, the pilot then proceeded to circle the airport, while the fire crew frantically scrambled to get in contact with the traffic control tower.
After failing to reach the guard, police and staff were contacted and they eventually managed to climb the tower and wake them up.
The stunned captain told The Times: “In a career of several decades I have never had to handle such a situation. We did a little tour.
“At no time was there any panic. Everyone stayed calm.”
He continued to explain that all the passengers found humour in the situation and found the whole affair funny.
The aviation authority confirmed these events, explaining that it has opened an investigation into the “unusual situation.”
While the controller has since tested negative for alcohol, a possible sanction is under consideration.
Shockingly, this isn’t the first occasion where an air traffic controller has been caught taking a nap on the job.
Last year, a member of staff at Cairns airport, Brisbane fell asleep at the control console during an early morning shift, MailOnline reports.
They were found at 5.15am sleeping peacefully while lying across two chairs, wrapped in a blanket.
The snooze was reportedly brought on by fatigue after working seven night shifts in nine days.
Luckily, there were no planes in the vicinity at the time.
As well as this, The Sun has also reported that pilots have been known to fall asleep at the wheel.
Just a few years ago, both pilots on a passenger plane fell asleep mid-flight, and couldn’t be woken by air traffic controllers before landing.
But, thankfully, the Ethiopian Airlines flight ET343, travelling from Khartoum in Sudan to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia on August 15, miraculously landed without any injuries.
The pilots had been due to begin their descent to Addis Ababa Bole Airport – but were still cruising at 37,000ft.
According to the Aviation Herald, air traffic control attempted to contact the pilots but were unsuccessful.
Finally, the crew awoke after the aircraft’s autopilot disconnected and sounded an alarm.
The pilots then managed to land the plane safely.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Flight RadarThe plane eventually touched down in Ajaccio at 22:39pm[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
