Canberra, November 27: A small plane overshot its destination in Australia by almost 50 km after its pilot fell asleep in the cockpit, air safety officials said on Tuesday. The pilot was the only person on board the Piper PA-31 aircraft from Devonport to King Island in Tasmania on November 8, the BBC reported.

The incident, classified as a case of "incapacitation", is being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Officials have not said how the pilot awoke before landing the plane safely.

"During the cruise, the pilot fell asleep, resulting in the aircraft overflying King Island by 46 kilometres," the ATSB said in a statement. TUI Airways Pilot Executes Marvellous Sideways Landing In Stiff Crosswind at Bristol Airport, Watch Viral Video.

The ATSB said it would interview the pilot and review operating procedures before releasing a report next year. Last year, five people died when a plane on its way to King Island crashed moments after takeoff in Melbourne.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 27, 2018 04:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).