The committee that probed the Mangalore air crash last year was informed by a number of senior pilots that many of them (pilots) have taken a nap during flights or have seen other crew members dozing off for a while. Sleep for flight crew during flights is strictly prohibited under Indian aviation rules.
“The court was informed by a number of senior pilots ... that they do feel like taking a short nap during the cruise phase of flying. Most of them have admitted of having either availed such a nap themselves or seen other crew members dozing off for a while. There are dangers of such a nap prolonging into a deep sleep causing effects of sleep inertia. There is also a possibility of induced sleep, which affects other crew members, who may also doze off,” the report of the committee states. The report also states that Air India Express should encourage its foreign pilots to stay in India with their families rather than the current practice.