2 Batik Air Pilots Suspended After Falling Asleep Mid Flight
Two pilots from Batik Air are facing backlash after it was found that they fell asleep for nearly 30 minutes during a passenger flight from Southeast Sulawesi to Jakarta on 25th January 2024.
Plane goes off of flight path as pilots fall asleep at the wheel
According to a preliminary report from Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), both the captain, 32, and the second in command, 28, fell asleep for 241 miles of the flight. The report says that the captain had asked the second in command to take control of the plane, stating that he needed to rest, but that the second in command also fell asleep shortly after, resulting in the plane deviating from the flight path. Jakarta air traffic control tried to contact the cockpit of the plane multiple times, but received no response until the captain woke and corrected the flight path. The co-pilot had reportedly been struggling to sleep due to caring for their newborn twins.
Despite the scare, the plane and the 153 passengers landed safely.
Pilots suspended following incident
Both pilots have been temporarily suspended pending an investigation by Indonesian authorities. The transport ministry has given strong reprimands to Batik Air, and will be carrying out an investigation into night flight operations in Indonesia related to fatigue risk management for all flight operators. In a statement, Batik Air said that it "operates with adequate rest policy" and is "committed to implement all safety recommendations”. The pilot's names have not been released.
