WORLD> America
Fatigue may be factor in jet overshooting airport
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-10-23 05:34

MINNEAPOLIS: Federal officials they are investigating whether pilot fatigue was a factor in a Northwest Airlines jet overflying the Minneapolis airport by 150 miles (240 kilometers).

The plane landed safely Wednesday evening after crew members discovered their mistake. None of the 147 passengers and crew were injured.

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The National Transportation Safety Board says the jet was flying from San Diego to Minneapolis and lost radio contact with controllers before 7 p.m. It says the jet flew about 150 miles past the Minneapolis airport before communications were re-established at 8:14 p.m.

The FAA says the crew told authorities they became distracted during a discussion.

But NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway says the agency will look into whether fatigue played a role.