Indonesia opens inquiry after pilots fell asleep on flight carrying 153 people
Indonesia's aviation authorities are investigating Batik Air after its pilots inadvertently fell asleep during a flight from South East Sulawesi to Jakarta, carrying 153 passengers.
The two pilots were unresponsive for about 28 minutes and only awoke to correct the plane's course. Although there were no injuries, this lapse in attention prompted calls for stricter management of pilot fatigue.
The transport ministry has criticized Batik Air, which insists it adheres to adequate rest policies. The involved pilots have been suspended pending the review, which will scrutinize night flight operations for all airlines in the country.
The incident, revealed by a KNKT report, highlighted the risks of pilot exhaustion, exacerbated in this case by one pilot's recent sleep deprivation due to newborn twins at home. Despite the scare, the flight landed without further incident.
The transport ministry has criticized Batik Air, which insists it adheres to adequate rest policies. The involved pilots have been suspended pending the review, which will scrutinize night flight operations for all airlines in the country.
The incident, revealed by a KNKT report, highlighted the risks of pilot exhaustion, exacerbated in this case by one pilot's recent sleep deprivation due to newborn twins at home. Despite the scare, the flight landed without further incident.
