Pilot on medical flight allegedly falls asleep while transporting patient
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a pilot allegedly fell asleep at the controls while transporting a patient on a Boston MedFlight in June, the agency said.
Boston Medflight transports emergency patients to area hospitals at a moment’s notice.
(CREDIT: David L Ryan/The Boston Globe/Getty Images)
The helicopter was flying from Martha’s Vineyard to a Boston hospital on June 24, FAA spokesman Rick Breitenfeldt said.
The pilot overflew the designated helipad while transporting the patient, Boston MedFlight CEO Maura Hughes said in a statement.
No one was injured during the incident and the transport was successfully completed, Hughes said.
Hughes said fatigue played a role in the incident but the medical transport company is now working with a safety consultant to review policies and procedures.
“Throughout our 34-year history as a nonprofit organization 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 in a statement.
CNN has not determined whether the pilot involved is still employed or faces any legal implications because of the incident.