HONOLULU -- The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its final report in the case of a Mesa Air Group-operated flight from Honolulu that overflew Hilo International Airport by 30 miles.
The NTSB on Monday confirmed an initial finding that the captain and first officer inadvertently fell asleep while the plane was on autopilot.
The board says a contributing factor was the captain's previously undiagnosed severe obstructive sleep apnea. It says the condition likely caused him to experience chronic daytime fatigue and contributed to his falling asleep during the 2008 flight.
The latest report says another contributing factor was the go! airlines flight crew's then-recent work schedules, which included several consecutive days of early morning start times.
The flight ended with the plane landing safely.
Go! airlines is operated by Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group.
