Tapes Show Efforts to Reach Wayward Pilots

(CBS/AP)  Air traffic controllers asked the pilots who overflew Minneapolis repeatedly about what had happened on the plane, according to transcripts released Friday by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Oct. 21 flight had been out of contact for 77 minutes before controllers re-established contact. The Northwest Airlines pilots told them right away that they had been distracted, but didn't give details.

After almost 90 seconds of conversation about the route they should take to Minneapolis, the controllers said, "I just have to verify that the cockpit is secure."

"It is secure, we got distracted," one of the pilots responded. The transcript says the pilot then said that they never heard a call from the ground.

FAA's tapes and transcripts for Northwest Flight 188

A different controller took over and, after five more minutes of directions about routes and altitudes, asked, "Do you have time to give a brief explanation on what happened?"

"Cockpit distractions that's all I can say," was the response from Northwest Flight 188.

About 12 minutes after contact had been re-established, the same controller asked, "is there any way you can elaborate on the distraction?"

The pilot said that they were dealing with some company issues, and "that's all all I can tell you right now at this time," according to the transcript.

Air traffic controllers ultimately had the pilots perform several turns to verify that they were in control of the plane. It landed safely in Minneapolis, and was met at the gate by police.

The transcripts also show controllers checking that the flight had enough fuel. The pilot responded that they had about two hours' worth of fuel on board and that it wasn't a concern.

The pilots have told the National Transportation Safety Board that they were discussing their company's complicated new crew-scheduling program over their laptop computers as their plane flew past Minneapolis by 150 miles. Northwest was bought by Delta Air Lines Inc. last year and the company has been working to integrate its computer systems.

What Goes on in Airline Cockpits?

[toldyouso21]

The Oct. 21 flight had been out of contact for 77 minutes before controllers re-established contact. The Northwest Airlines pilots told them right away that they had been distracted, but didn't give details. "

Distracted? Hmmmm? What would cause 2 seasoned pilots enough distraction to DELIBERATELY turn off their contact with the ground and not answer for over 77 minutes while they flew past their landing at an airport?

Sleeping? Not likely. they would have at least left the communications open to be able to wake up.

Sex? More likely? Though if it was sex with other crew members someone would have or should have been able to open communications or warn the "group" when they were getting close.

Remember, communication works two ways--turning it off meant the pilots did not want the control tower to inadvertently hear them as well as stop them from hearing and therefore being interrupted by the tower. This is not likely to be because of talking about employee anything. There is a high probability that these two men were having sex--with EACH OTHER and the grunts and moans etc was not something they wanted others to discern so they turned the communication OFF.

Or maybe they turned it off to not let the tower hear snoring? But then, why sleep so near to a destination? I bet this was sex--but since no one did a panty check for residuals--we will never know for sure--whatever it is, their disabling or turning off communication and bypassing their destination should be grounds for firing--it is a wonder after 911. that they and their passengers were not just blown out of the sky and presumed to be hijacked by plane crashing terrorists.

[j123776]

Makes me think of brain challenged auto drivers sailing down our by-ways with earphones blazing away with something they refer to as music .... completely unaware people and vehicles around them.....

[pete_in_az]

Let me tell you all why I am convinced it was sleeping. They flew past there landing because they were sleeping, realized it when all the beeps from the controllers started coming in, flew another 60 minutes or whatever was needed to erase the flight recorder catching them snoring/freaking out about their screw up.

It is interesting how many hours these guys can fly and with so little sleep in between. Its like double what a trucker is allowed to drive.

[DSR_57]

by pete_in_az November 27, 2009 8:28 PM EST

Let me tell you all why I am convinced it was sleeping. They flew past there landing because they were sleeping
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hahahahahhaa

[dagrandma]

Sounds to me like it was a united flight.

[brianbwb-2009]

If you fly as much as I do, you may already be familiar with the instruction to turn off all cellphones, PDAs, cd, or mp3 players, and laptop computers, because as they explain, it can interfere with the normal operation of the aircraft.

So if the pilots were busy on their laptops, as they claim, doesn't this suggest that the passengers lives may have been jeopardized?

[bluharley]

I bet they were having, ummm, fun, joining the mile high club!

[lmartink]

Coffee, Tea or Me......

I wonder if they were getting, shall we say, really friendly with each other. Was there some intimacy involved here? Hmmm.

Just a wild guess.....

[ajvw]

sleeping