Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 2 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 6120; Flight Crew Type 2100
Fatigue; Situational Awareness
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
[The reporter had experienced a hydraulic anomaly earlier on this night cargo flight and was worried that the gear might not extend.] Strangely I began to feel the effects of what can be described an increased level of anxiety. I kept telling myself that this is a non-issue but the adrenalin clearly had begun to flow. My heart rate was noticeably increased and my palms were damp with sweat. As confident I was this was likely an indication problem; the feelings continued. I kept telling myself the landing gear will extend as predicted. I read over the emergency checklist studying all the different methods to extend the gear if needed. Further along the checklist continues on about possible landing with gear up- scenarios. All of this was remote; but the level of anxiety continued to rise. I was pumped up ready for any obscure outcome. This was the moment of truth. I slowed the aircraft to the emergency gear extension speed. Would the gear extend? Of course it did- as I knew it would all along. I told Approach everything worked out and I was ready to land. I changed to the Tower frequency and landed as normal. There were a rash of phone calls and a length of time waiting to see how to proceed. I had already done a pre-flight inspection on the next aircraft anticipating the possibility of flying over the last hour; so when the call came I was feeling wired and ready departure. It was after midnight. On the flight north crossing the area this hour of night it is quiet on the radio. The prior hours adrenal rush is now gone and it is dull compared to the last flight. I know that I am about to start a descent so I prepare by checking the weather on my hand held Garmin GPS with XM and I tune in the ATIS; the weather is the same as when I departed several hours ago. I am anticipating a hand off to Approach at any time from Center. I am thinking about the descent through the ice. I am prepared; but feeling tired as the anxiety has completely gone in the drone of the engines. Thinking I will have to start my descent in just moments; a glance at the GPS (what I recall) is like 17 minutes out. I close my eyes for a few seconds. The next thing I know- I popped awake! - My arms and legs rose with a jolt as I snapped back. I realize I fell asleep but it seems to have only been a single minute. I am still level at 9;000 FT; on top of an overcast layer of clouds; still over the lake; the airplane is running fine. I can see the glow of the clouds below and ahead of what (I think) is the city approaching. I continue on my course. But I am looking at the GPS- just a minute ago it was just saying 17 minutes out of destination now was flashing a message with a new heading back to departure airport. I am wondering why it would sequence back when I have not yet gotten to destination? I am just puzzled but don't think it is an issue. A quick glance at the hand held Garmin GPS that has auto zoomed in and all that is in view is water (I assume still the lake) kind of confirming exactly where I am supposed to be. I continue present heading and just figure I would call Center. All of my calls to Center are unanswered. I know in the back of my mind that there have been occasions where Center has been difficult to hear in this area. I have seen this before and I am still not worried. I figure a safe bet would be to just call on Guard frequency. As I attempt to make more calls I notice now that I have no side tone in the headsets when I transmit. I can see that my mic is keying the radio (the 'T' for transmit illuminates on the COMM) but I have no side tone. I physically pull the squelch knob on the radio and turn the volume all the way up. I cannot hear a thing! Now I am thinking I have an actual radio failure! How can I possibly have a glitch with a GPS and my radios at the exact same time? I go back to look at the GPS to identify my position. All the while flying north; wondering why it had sequenced to the next waypoint which is the departure point. Iwent to the flight plan and highlighted the destination again and hit direct! The result; SOUTH!?! This was the moment realized that I had overflown my destination! I had been over a second lake the last few minutes- not where I thought! I scanned the clear sky for traffic then turned towards a more southerly direction. The question now is long had I been asleep? I needed to talk to somebody NOW! I consider putting 7600 in the transponder. Instead; I take off my headsets and follow the wires all the way to the jacks. To my amazement both plugs were disconnected! I plugged them both in and made one more call to Center. This time I got an immediate response; 'Hey there you are!' They asked if I was ok and I said yes and I confirmed I was returning to destination. They said told me to start my descent and fly direct to the field. They passed me over to another frequency and I re-explained what I could make of the situation at that moment. They said they were glad to talk to me again. Then they passed me over to Approach and upon landing they gave me the number to call Center on phone and explain what happened. It is documented that there is an actual physical crash and exhaustion experienced in hours after an adrenalin rush. This is what I believe happened to me in the minutes approaching destination. I had been alert all night with no sign of fatigue. All of the anxiety from a minor landing gear indication hours before had faded. I clearly fell asleep. I overflew the airport. The GPS had done exactly what it was programmed to do. The reason the heading changed very little is because the course needle stayed on the previous heading; it physically needs to be turned to the next heading. When I startled myself awake and just about jumped out of my seat; the wires from my headset had been wrapped around my leg. The sudden movement pulled the headphone and microphone cables from their respective jacks. This is what caused the communication failure. After I awoke I continued to fly heading while locating my position and establish communication with Center. All the while I was flying farther away. I think something we can take away from this is to really look and question the decision to continue a flight after having to perform some emergency procedures. Had this been any other airport in our system I would have been done flying and had to wait for a standby pilot and aircraft. It was unusual to have me in a position and have a spare airplane at my disposal.
Light twin pilot reports falling asleep at 9;000 FT approaching his destination from the south. Upon waking he is well north of destination. The headset plugs had become disconnected resulting in a further delay in contacting ATC. Adrenalin from an emergency situation on a previous leg is thought to be involved in the sudden onset of sleep.