B788, en-route, central Romania, 2017

B788, en-route, central Romania, 2017

Summary

On 10 March 2017, a Boeing 787-8 lost contact with ATC over central Romania whilst the Captain was taking his second in-seat controlled rest and flight continued through Romanian and then, in daylight and without clearance, into Hungarian airspace. After well over an hour out of contact, military fighter interception prompted the re-establishment of normal communication. It was found that whilst the Captain was asleep, both speakers had been off and the First Officer had not been wearing her headset although she claimed that normal ATC communications had occurred whilst admitting that they had not been written down as required.

Description

On 10 March 2017, a Boeing 787-8 (VT-ANT) being operated by Air India on a scheduled international passenger flight from Ahmedabad to London Heathrow as AI-171 was out of contact with ATC for well over an hour whilst in the cruise at FL400 in Romanian and Hungarian airspace in day VMC whilst the Captain was taking in-seat controlled rest and the First Officer was acting as PF without supervision. After waking up, the Captain saw a fighter aircraft in close proximity and this prompted the restoration of normal ATC communications with continued fighter escort until the flight began descent to its destination.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Indian DGCA Office of the Director of Air Safety (Western Region) in accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules 2017. Relevant data from DFDR were successfully downloaded and relevant transcripts of ATC communications obtained. In the absence of relevant CVR data the two crew statements were taken into account.

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