Authorities in Australia are investigating a flight in which the pilot fell asleep and overflew the destination by 29 miles.

The charter flight took off from Devonport in Tasmania at 6.21am and was due to land at King Island at 7.46am.

The pilot of the twin-engined Piper PA-31 aircraft, which can carry about seven people, was the only person on board and appears to have woken up, flown to the destination - a small island off Tasmania - and landed safely.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it was investigating the flight as a “pilot incapacitation” incident.

“During the cruise, the pilot, who was the only person on board, fell asleep resulting in the aircraft overflying King Island by 46 km [29 miles],” the bureau said.

“As part of the investigation, the ATSB will interview the pilot and review operational procedures.”

It is not clear how the pilot woke up.

Vortex Air, the operator of the flight, said the pilot “unintentionally fell asleep while in command of the aircraft”. It said the flight was the first for the pilot after returning from a period of leave.

“The pilot was the only person on board the aircraft and no one was injured as a result of the incident,” it said.