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Ethiopian Airlines removes crew who allegedly fell asleep on air, pending further investigation

Addis Abeba – Ethiopian Airlines said it has “removed from operation pending further investigation,” its crew who were operating the flight number ET343 en route from Khartoum to Addis Abeba on 15 August, and that “appropriate corrective action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation”.

According to a report on The Aviation Herald, “an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration ET-AOB performing flight ET-343 from Khartoum (Sudan) to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), was enroute at FL370 when the pilots fell asleep. The aircraft continued past the top of descent maintaining FL370 and continued along the FMC route set up for an approach to runway 25L without descending however. ATC tried to contact the crew numerous times without success. After overflying runway 25L at FL370 the autopilot disconnected, the disconnect wailer woke the crew up who then maneuvered the aircraft for a safe landing on runway 25L about 25 minutes after overflying the runway at FL370.”

In response, Ethiopian Airlines released the following statement:

“We have received a report which indicates Ethiopian flight number ET343 en route from Khartoum to Addis Ababa temporarily lost communication with Addis Ababa Air Traffic Control on 15 August 2022. The flight later landed safely after communication was restored. The concerned Crew have been removed from operation pending further investigation. Appropriate corrective action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation. Safety has always been and will continue to be our first priority.”

AS

5 thoughts on “Ethiopian Airlines removes crew who allegedly fell asleep on air, pending further investigation”

  1. This story doesn’t make sense! how tWO pilots sleeping?
    Can you investigate more if they were given sleeping pile or other type so drug by someone else?

  2. Vey difficult to believe [to understand] the Story
    Two pilots sleeping in the Cockpit at the same time!!!!!!
    Does it Mean that THREE Pilots may be needed in the future!?!?!?
    The Investigation should very deep and wide to cover the incident in minute details.
    Needless to say, EAL has DEEP obligation to reach at the bottom and width of the Situation.
    EAL’s SUPREME History — against any airlines in the World — is at stake.

  3. EAL Is Still The Best Airline That Has Ever Emerged From Any Developing Country. It Rivals and Exceeds Most Airlines of Western and Asian Countries in Price and Service. How Many Of Such Innocent Mishaps Were Reported About The Airlines In The Developed Countries? Why Do You Think All Other Airlines Are Canceling And Delaying Flights Lately? It Is Not Because Of Lack Of Passengers. Aha! Crew Fatigue Including Pilots, Right? How Many Of Those Were Caught Dozing Off? Don’ tell me that there were none. Don’t even think about it!! Let’s Not Make A Stink Out Of This. It Is Being Amicably Addressed By the Over Qualified CEO. Just Move On!!!

  4. This exaggeration reminds me previous presupposed reports by many media outlets when a 737 MAX 8 that belonged to this airline crashed in 2019. I remember one so-called consultant on ABC News when he was telling how ‘Ethiopians’ are known for altering flight data after crashes. He did not even say ‘Ethiopian Airlines officials’ but he addressed them as ‘Ethiopians’. He swore by the pilot error that caused the crush and he was 100% sure the aircraft was 100% safe to fly. Luckily the then President Trump did not buy that and he ordered the grounding of all 737 MAX 8 aircrafts. I still couldn’t believe that consultant used the phrase ‘Those Ethiopians’. That was wrong and incendiary. Folk, that is why I abhor when some individuals use nationality or ethnic attachment when they go after individuals. That Amhara guy this and Oromo or Tigre guy that! I hate it. I detest it like a nagging sickness because it is wrong to sound as if accusing the entire ethnic group. The same goes for religions. Such irresponsible choice of words has been an ailment so malignant that has been eating at the heart and soul of that gem of the colored since the mid 1960’s. I hope we will give it up for good very soon. Insha’Allah!!!

  5. እንደምናችሁ!

    INFORMATION is as good as its SOURCE! The Ethiopian Transportation Safety Board [ETSB], CAA-ATC, and the Ethiopian Airlines [EA] must investigate & rectify it ASAP:

    1). Who is the source? How did the source know that the pilots fell asleep in flight?
    2). Since the plane landed okay in Sudan, were navigation equipment, communication equipment, flight controls, etc. tampered with in Sudan? [Info: In late 1980s, an EA B707 Cargo plane which landed in Cairo for refuelling blew up on take off right there!]
    3). Do EA, CAA and ETSB use pre-boarding & post-flight Flight Crew Screening Gates?
    4). Do EA, CAA and ETSB take urine, blood, breath, etc. samples after such incidents?

    Just a few weeks ago, an EA plane made a spectacular take off right after landing due to another plane ready for take off [on same runway, in opposite direction]! The landing pilots made a split second decision to avert head-on collision! Their plane could have stalled & crashed! Hats off to them! What if the other plane was taking off? Disaster!

    We should also avoid falling for Egypt’s & its White Supremacist West masters’ anti-Ethiopia campaign! Example: Amy Goodman of PBS once asked Nima El-Bagir [CNN’s Journalist (Sudanese)]: “We have imposed sanctions. What more can we do to stop the ‘Tigray Genocide’?” Nima: ≈ “Embargo on Ethiopian Airlines! Ethiopia’s only income!”

    I_Mognu / don_Q

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