Indonesian Pilots Fall Asleep During Flight, Leaving Plane Unattended for Nearly Half an Hour
Incident Details Unveiled in National Transportation Safety Committee’s Report
Indonesian commercial airline pilots aboard a Batik Air flight from Sulawesi to Jakarta were found to have fallen asleep for approximately 28 minutes, leaving the plane without supervision, according to a new report released on Friday by the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee. The flight carried 153 passengers and posed significant risks due to the lack of active personnel in the cockpit.
Controllers Unable to Establish Contact
During the pilots’ unintended nap, air traffic controllers and nearby pilots made numerous unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the pilots of flight BTK6723. The report indicates that no response was received from the pilots despite numerous calls made by controllers and fellow aviators, potentially exacerbating the safety hazards posed by the incident.
Insufficient Rest and Fatigue
It was revealed in the report that the sleeping pilot in command had slept for an hour before approaching the second pilot, offering to switch and rest, which was declined. The pilot in command then returned to sleeping, and the second pilot unexpectedly fell asleep as well. The report highlighted that the second pilot, who had month-old twin children, was already topically short on sleep due to parental responsibilities.
Quick Action Averted Disaster
Fortunately, the pilot in command woke up to find the second pilot asleep and promptly alerted and woke his colleague. Control of the aircraft was promptly resumed, and the intended flight route was restored. The plane ultimately landed without any untoward incidents at its destination in Jakarta.
Industry Norms and Repercussions
Though the act of sleeping in the cabin is not uncommon among commercial pilots, industry regulations demand adherence to safety procedures to ensure at least one pilot remains awake and alert throughout the flight. Batik Air has temporarily suspended both pilots involved in this incident. The Indonesian Transportation Ministry has issued a strong admonition to the airline.
Plans to Address Safety Concerns
Prompt actions have been promised by Indonesian authorities and Batik Air to investigate the incident in detail and thoroughly review night flight operations across the country, specifically focusing on Fatigue Risk Management, to avoid any recurrence of such hazardous occurrences in the future.
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