THURSDAY MAR 28, 2024
×
Search AeroXplorer
Ethiopian Airlines Flight Fails to Descend After Pilots Fall Asleep

Ethiopian Airlines Flight Fails to Descend After Pilots Fall Asleep

BY JACK TURNER 08/23/2022 AGO 1 COMMENTS

Passengers and ATC alike in Ethiopia were in for a scare on Monday when Ethiopian Airlines flight ET343 from Khartoum, Sudan (KRT) to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa (ADD) failed to descend as expected.

 

Instead, the plane remained on autopilot at 37,000 feet (FL370) as it passed over the runway and approach path. The likely explanation: the pilots were asleep. Air Traffic Control had repeatedly attempted to contact the pilots to no avail, and only after an alarm in the cockpit went off did the pilots begin to descend the plane and land safely. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, eventually landed approximately 25 minutes after the pilots began the descent.  

 

While the plane landed safely with no injuries, the context of pilot fatigue is deeply concerning as overwork complaints grow worldwide Photo: Andrew Mauro

 

The incident is troubling on several fronts. Firstly, Ethiopian Airlines' safety record has already been tarnished by the March 2019 737-MAX 8 crash on flight ET302. Add in this incident, and the safety record surrounding the airline is beginning to look problematic. Pilot fatigue is a prevalent issue, and the fact that both pilots were able to fall asleep and miss the landing is a concerning sign for both the airline and its passengers. While Ethiopian Airlines has not stated anything about pilot fatigue regarding this incident, the airline has announced that both pilots have been suspended and removed from operations while an investigation unfolds, affirming how safety is at its top priority. The airline has yet to confirm that the pilots fell asleep, conservatively writing only that ATC lost communication with the pilots. 
 

With Ethiopian Airlines's prevalence in Africa and the Middle East, these sorts of incidents are amplified. Photo: AeroXplorer | Gautham Kurup

 

Ethiopian Airlines is at present the largest airline in Africa and has been growing its presence as both a direct connection to Ethiopia and an airline to use as an alternative to the expensive Middle Eastern carriers. With such a stature, these sorts of incidents are amplified to a degree, and the response becomes ever more important. Addressing the root of the problem will be critical, and hopefully, passengers' future fears will be quelled.

 

Pilots taking short naps on flights is normal and is often used as a tool to prevent fatigue, especially on long-haul flights. However, it is not conventional for both pilots to be asleep such that nobody is actively monitoring the flight. It is unclear when and how exactly both pilots suddenly became asleep or unable to man the aircraft, but as the ongoing investigation unfolds, more answers will become available.

Jack Turner
Jack is a member of the AeroXplorer writing team and particularly enjoys sharing news around domestic flying and news surrounding his favorite airline, Delta. Jack splits his time between his hometown of Burlingame, California and Ithaca, New York and enjoys all things public transport in addition to aviation.

Comments (1)

US Tourist Visa US Tourist Visa Checklist is one of the most valuable visas. We serve visas for the US. Here we give the US tourist visa checklist. We will help to take you through the different steps. This will make you hamper-free from getting the visa. https://www.myairticket.co/us-tourist-visa-checklist/
376d ago • Reply

Add Your Comment

SHARE

TAGS

NEWS Ethiopian Ethiopian Airlines Fatigue Incident Missed Landing Ethiopia Boeing 737 Boeing 737-800

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Could We See an Airbus A380neo? Although production for the Airbus A380 was discontinued in December 2021 due to poor demand, many airlines that grounded their A380 fleets during the pandemic have started flying them again. The A380's return raises questions about the possibility of a more fuel-efficient A380neo version. INFORMATIONAL READ MORE »
Preparing for Aviation University: Must-Have Skills for Aspiring Students Do you want to attend university to become a pilot? Are you planning on studying anything related to aviation? This article explains what you may need to succeed in the aviation industry. INFORMATIONAL READ MORE »
Top Six NASCAR Drivers Who Are Pilots Alongside Their Racing Careers A surprising number of NASCAR drivers are either pilots during or after their motorsports careers. The collaboration makes sense as both flying and driving are high-octane activities. Here are some of the most notable driver-pilots. INFORMATIONAL READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE