Tense minutes in the air: The aircraft left its route after the pilots fell asleep.
In Indonesia, a Batik Air passenger jet experienced a terrifying episode when both pilots fell asleep simultaneously. The Airbus A320 carrying 153 passengers advanced on autopilot for about 28 minutes without any response from the cockpit and strayed from its planned route. The aircraft later landed safely in Jakarta.
The incident on a Batik Air passenger aircraft in Indonesia raised serious questions about aviation safety. Because the captain and the first officer of the Airbus A320 performing the Kendari‑Jakarta flight fell asleep simultaneously, air traffic control could not receive a response from the cockpit for about 28 minutes.
The aircraft carried a total of 159 people, including 153 passengers and 6 crew members. While the autopilot was engaged, the plane deviated from its planned route.
Call from Air Traffic Control
At an altitude of about 36,000 feet, the captain handed control to the first officer for a brief rest. However, according to the investigation report, the first officer also fell asleep shortly thereafter.
After both pilots fell asleep, the aircraft continued its flight under autopilot. Air traffic controllers received no response to their attempts to contact the cockpit for roughly 28 minutes.
During this period, the aircraft deviated from its designated flight path despite being flown by the automatic system.
Control Restored When One Pilot Wakes Up
After about 28 minutes, the cockpit control was regained when the co‑pilot woke up. The pilots communicated with air‑traffic control and redirected the aircraft back onto its planned route.
The Airbus A320 then landed safely in Jakarta. No passengers or crew were reported injured in the incident.
Pre‑flight Fatigue Draws Attention
The report prepared by the Indonesian Transportation Safety Committee noted that one of the key factors behind the incident was pilot fatigue.
The report recorded that, despite having approximately 53 hours of rest before the flight, the co‑pilot was unable to get enough rest. It was found that the pilot’s newborn twins and the house‑moving process he was undergoing at the same time adversely affected his rest.
Procedures Regarding Cockpit Checks Were Also Examined
During the investigation, it emerged that the airline had a practice of checking the cockpit at regular intervals, but the procedures did not clearly specify who was responsible for those checks.
The committee recommended that pilot rest periods be monitored more effectively and fatigue management be strengthened to prevent similar incidents. It emphasized that stricter measures should be taken on flights conducted at night and in the early morning hours.
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