- Two Batik Air pilots fell asleep simultaneously during a flight from Kendari to Jakarta, causing the aircraft to deviate from its flight path
- Despite the navigational errors, none of the 153 passengers or four flight attendants were injured, and the aircraft remained undamaged
- The Indonesian transport ministry has suspended the involved flight crews and initiated an investigation into the incident to ensure aviation safety
Indonesia’s aviation authorities are launching a thorough investigation following a concerning incident in which both pilots of a Batik Air flight reportedly fell asleep mid-flight, resulting in the aircraft deviating from its intended course.
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The incident, which occurred during a flight from Kendari in Southeast Sulawesi province to Jakarta on January 25, saw the plane veer off its flight path for nearly 30 minutes.
According to Indonesian Times, a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), stated that both the pilot and co-pilot were unintentionally asleep for approximately 28 minutes, leading to navigational errors.
Fortunately, none of the 153 passengers or four flight attendants aboard the flight, identified as BTK6723, sustained any injuries, and the aircraft itself remained undamaged.
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The report revealed that the co-pilot had expressed concerns earlier in the day about not having had adequate rest.
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Subsequently, during the flight, after reaching cruising altitude, the pilot-in-command requested permission to rest, and the co-pilot assumed control.
However, approximately 90 minutes into the flight, the co-pilot also unintentionally fell asleep.
Communication with air traffic control was lost for over 12 minutes until the pilot-in-command regained consciousness and realized the deviation from the flight path.
The pilots’ identities were not disclosed in the report, but they were described as a 32-year-old pilot-in-command and a 28-year-old co-pilot, the latter experiencing sleep disruptions due to caring for one-month-old twins.
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The Indonesian transport ministry, through its civil aviation director-general M Kristi Endah Murni, has announced plans for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Flight crews involved have been suspended in accordance with standard procedures, pending further investigation.
Additionally, the ministry will dispatch a flight inspector to identify the root cause of the incident and recommend measures to mitigate future risks.
Murni emphasized the importance of reviewing fatigue management protocols for Batik Air and other flight operators to ensure the safety of night flight operations in Indonesia.
