The plane, carrying 153 passengers, briefly veered off course while the pilots fell asleep.
Indonesia’s transport ministry has announced plans to launch a thorough investigation into local carrier Batik Air following a concerning incident where both pilots were found to have fallen asleep mid-flight.
“The safety and well-being of passengers are our utmost priorities,” stated a spokesperson for the transport ministry, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The two pilots, both of whom have been temporarily suspended pending the investigation, were discovered to have dozed off for approximately 28 minutes during a flight from Sulawesi to the capital Jakarta. Despite the unsettling lapse, the Airbus A320 managed to regain its course and safely land at its destination.
Fortunately, all 153 passengers and crew members emerged unharmed from the ordeal, thanks to the swift response of air traffic control and the eventual awakening of the pilots.
The incident, which occurred on January 25th of this year, unfolded as the aircraft was en-route from southeast Sulawesi to Jakarta. According to a report from the transport ministry, the 32-year-old pilot had entrusted his 28-year-old co-pilot with control of the aircraft approximately half an hour after takeoff, citing the need for rest.
However, the situation took a troubling turn when the co-pilot unintentionally succumbed to sleep as well. The report revealed that the co-pilot, grappling with the demands of caring for one-month-old twin babies, had been dealing with sleep deprivation.
Efforts by Jakarta air traffic control to establish communication with the cockpit went unanswered following the pilots’ last recorded transmission. The ensuing 28 minutes of radio silence prompted growing concerns until the lead pilot finally awoke and realized the severity of the situation.
Upon regaining consciousness, the pilots promptly responded to the calls from Jakarta and successfully executed a safe landing, averting potential disaster.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are poised to implement stringent measures to prevent such incidents from recurring, underscoring the critical importance of vigilance and adherence to safety protocols within the aviation industry.
