Batik Air Scandal: Investigation Initiated as Pilots Doze Off Mid-Flight
Indonesia has launched an investigation into local carrier Batik Air following an alarming incident where both pilots were found to have fallen asleep for 28 minutes during a mid-flight journey from Sulawesi to Jakarta on January 25. The two pilots, aged 32 and 28, have been temporarily suspended.
Reportedly, the older pilot instructed his co-pilot to take control of the Airbus A320 about half an hour into the flight, citing fatigue from caring for his newborn twins. The co-pilot, however, unintentionally dozed off as well, having been assisting his wife with their one-month-old twins.
During this period, the aircraft briefly deviated from its course, but it eventually landed safely, ensuring the well-being of all 153 passengers and crew members on board. Jakarta air traffic control attempted to contact the cockpit during the radio silence but received no response until the lead pilot woke up and realized the situation.
Medical tests conducted before the flight indicated that both pilots were physically fit to fly, with normal blood pressure, heart rate, and negative alcohol tests. However, these tests did not assess the quality of their rest, raising concerns among aviation experts.
Batik Air has faced criticism from authorities, receiving a “strong reprimand” for the incident. Indonesia’s head of air transport, M Kristi Endah Murni, emphasized the importance of the airline paying more attention to its crew’s rest time.
While Batik Air claimed to operate with an adequate rest policy, this incident follows a previous emergency landing in 2019 when one of its pilots fainted. The recent investigation raises questions about the airline’s adherence to safety standards.
In most countries, aviation regulations mandate the presence of at least two pilots in the cockpit of commercial airliners, emphasizing the critical role of crew alertness in ensuring passenger safety. The outcome of the investigation may lead to additional safety measures and scrutiny to prevent such incidents in the future.
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