WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board began hearings in Washington Thursday on the number of aircraft accidents caused by pilot fatigue.
Since 1993, the board has linked 10 commercial aviation accidents that killed 260 people to fatigue, which is a growing concern as airlines demand more flight time from their pilots, USA Today reported.
The newspaper did an analysis of NASA data, and found six cases of pilots falling asleep while flying since 2003, although none of the incidents resulted in accidents.
The NTSB has lobbied the Federal Aviation Administration for 20 years to tighten restrictions on how many hours pilots can work each day, as air crews can work up to 16 hours a day and longer if a flight is delayed.
In turn, the FAA has repeatedly tried to revise pilot work rules since the 1990s, but failed each time due to resistance from airlines and pilot unions, the report said.
The hearings will also address fatigue among air traffic controllers and mechanics, the newspaper said.
