Indonesian Authorities Investigate Incident of 2 Pilots Sleeping for 28 Minutes on a Flight

In a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), it has been revealed that both the captain and co-pilot of a flight from Southeast Sulawesi to Jakarta fell asleep for approximately 28 minutes on January 25, 2024. This incident resulted in a series of navigational errors, but fortunately, the 153 passengers and 4 cabin crew members on board the Airbus A320 remained safe throughout the flight.

According to the KNKT report, around 30 minutes after takeoff, the captain handed over control of the aircraft to the co-pilot and requested permission to rest for a while. However, the co-pilot also fell asleep while flying the plane. It was mentioned in the report that the co-pilot has twin newborns, and his wife takes care of them while he helps with household chores.

The air traffic control center in Jakarta attempted to contact the aircraft but received no response. After 28 minutes since the last signal transmission, the captain woke up and realized that the co-pilot was also asleep, causing the plane to deviate from its intended course. The captain immediately alerted his colleague, readjusted the flight path, and safely landed the Airbus A320 after a total flight time of 2 hours and 35 minutes.

The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation announced that it will conduct an investigation and review domestic night flight operations related to fatigue risk management for Batik Air and all other flight operators. The ministry strongly reprimanded Batik Air for the incident and called on all airlines to prioritize ensuring adequate rest time for their flight crews.

In a statement released on March 9th, Batik Air stated that the airline follows a comprehensive rest policy and is committed to implementing all safety recommendations. Batik Air also confirmed that the pilots involved in the incident on January 25th have been temporarily suspended.

Although the investigators have not disclosed the identities of the two pilots involved in the incident, it has been confirmed that they are both Indonesian nationals, aged 32 and 28.

Conclusion

This incident highlights the importance of crew rest and fatigue management in the aviation industry. It serves as a reminder for airlines to prioritize the well-being of their flight crews, ensuring that they are adequately rested before and during flights. The Indonesian authorities are taking this incident seriously and conducting a thorough investigation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

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