Indonesia To Launch Probe into Batik Air After Pilots Fall Asleep Mid-Flight

Indonesia’s transport ministry has announced plans to launch an inquiry into local airline Batik Air following an unsettling incident where both pilots were found asleep during a flight.

According to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), a pilot and co-pilot she dozed off simultaneously for around 28 minutes during a flight from South East Sulawesi to Jakarta on January 25th.

Although no harm came to the 153 passengers and four flight attendants aboard the Airbus A320 during the two-hour-and-35-minute flight, the incident led to navigation errors.

The transport ministry strongly disapproved of Batik Air’s handling of the situation, with air transport director-general M Kristi Endah Murni urging airlines to prioritize their air crew’s rest time.

“We will conduct an investigation and review of night flight operations in Indonesia related to Fatigue Risk Management for Batik Air and all flight operators,” Ms. Kristi stated.

In response, Batik Air emphasized its commitment to safety, stating that it adheres to an adequate rest policy and pledges to implement all safety recommendations.

According to a statement from Batik Air, the pilots involved in the January 25th incident have been temporarily suspended.

The KNKT report, released in late February, revealed that one of the pilots had not rested adequately the night before the flight.

Approximately 30 minutes after takeoff, the captain requested permission from the co-pilot to rest, which was granted. However, as detailed in the report, the co-pilot also fell asleep while assuming command of the aircraft.

“The co-pilot had twin babies who were one month old. His wife took care of the babies, and he assisted at home,” the report explained.

After the co-pilot’s last recorded transmission, air traffic control in Jakarta attempted to contact the aircraft but received no response.

Twenty-eight minutes later, the pilot awoke to discover his co-pilot asleep, and the aircraft was off course. He promptly alerted his colleague, responded to calls from Jakarta, and corrected the flight path.

Although investigators did not disclose the pilots’ identities, they confirmed both were Indonesian nationals aged 32 and 28.

KNKT urged Batik Air to conduct routine cockpit checks and ensure pilots and cabin crew are adequately rested before flights.