Two pilots have been temporarily suspended following a recent incident in Indonesia. A Batik Air flight carrying 153 passengers was led off course by pilots who fell asleep mid-air. The incident has raised questions about the rest time given to pilots.
According to reports, the pilot in command and the co-pilot both dozed off, causing the Airbus plane to veer off course.
The 28-year-old pilot in command, when he fell asleep, was tired after tending to his 1-month-old twin babies at home. The co-pilot kept in contact with Jakarta air traffic control until he fell asleep, leaving the aircraft unattended.
Jakarta air traffic control repeatedly tried to contact the pilots, but there was no response. After 28 minutes, the co-pilot finally woke up. He then woke up the pilot in command, and the plane eventually landed safely in Jakarta.
Fortunately, no one was injured, and there was no damage to the aircraft.
M Kristi Endah Murni, Indonesia’s head of Air transport, has called for Batik Air to pay closer attention to the rest time given to its crew. Batik Air has responded by saying that it operates with an adequate rest policy and is committed to implementing all safety recommendations.