Indonesia’s Transport Ministry announced on Saturday that it will launch an investigation into local airline Batik Air following an alarming incident where both the pilot and co-pilot were found to have fallen asleep during a flight. According to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), the pilot and co-pilot were asleep simultaneously for about 28 minutes during a flight from Southeast Sulawesi province to Jakarta on January 25. This incident led to navigation errors, although the 153 passengers and four flight attendants onboard the Airbus A320 were unharmed during the two-hour, 35-minute flight.
The Transport Ministry expressed strong disapproval of Batik Air’s oversight, with air transport chief M. Kristi Endah Murni emphasizing the need for airlines to prioritize their crew’s rest time. Kristi stated that an investigation and review of night flight operations in Indonesia, particularly focusing on fatigue risk management for Batik Air and all flight operators, will be initiated.
Batik Air responded by asserting that it adheres to an adequate rest policy and is dedicated to implementing all safety recommendations. The pilots involved in the January 25 incident have been suspended, as confirmed by the airline. However, a spokesperson for Lion Air Group, the parent company of Batik Air, did not provide an immediate response to Agence France-Presse’s (AFP) request for comment.
The KNKT report, which was made available on the agency’s website in late February and reviewed by AFP, revealed that one of the pilots had not received sufficient rest the night before the flight. Approximately 30 minutes after takeoff, the captain requested permission from the co-pilot to rest briefly, which was granted. Subsequently, the co-pilot assumed control of the aircraft but unintentionally fell asleep.
The incident highlights the critical importance of crew rest and fatigue management in the aviation industry. Fatigue among pilots can have serious consequences, as demonstrated in this case where both the pilot and co-pilot were asleep simultaneously, leading to navigation errors. The KNKT report shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident, revealing that the co-pilot, who had twin babies at home, was balancing family responsibilities alongside his duties, possibly contributing to his fatigue.
The aviation industry places a strong emphasis on safety, and incidents like this serve as a reminder of the need for stringent protocols and oversight to prevent such occurrences. The swift actions taken by the pilot upon waking up and realizing the situation, including correcting the flight path and responding to communication from the control center, were crucial in ensuring the safe landing of the aircraft.
In response to the incident, Batik Air’s commitment to safety and adherence to safety recommendations are commendable. However, the incident underscores the importance of continuous training, monitoring, and support for flight crew to mitigate the risks associated with fatigue and ensure the safety of passengers and crew members.
