Aviation authorities are launching an investigation after a serious incident where both pilots of a Batik Air flight from Kendari to Jakarta fell asleep during the cruise portion on January 25th, 2024, according to preliminary findings released by the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT).
The incident involved Batik Air flight ID-6723 (BTK6723), an Airbus A320 (registered PK-LUV) carrying 153 passengers, which departed Kendari at 0005 UTC.
Around an hour into the flight at 0122 UTC, the 32-year-old pilot in command took a rest period, leaving the 28-year-old second in command as the sole pilot flying the aircraft.
At 0143 UTC, the second in command made contact with Jakarta air traffic control and was cleared to follow an arrival procedure. However, he then inadvertently fell asleep himself shortly after at 0143 UTC.
This caused a complete loss of communication between the flight crew and air traffic control that lasted around 28 minutes until 0211 UTC when the pilot in command woke up and responded.
The KNKT report notes the second in command had been moving house in the days prior and suffered poor sleep due to caring for his one-month-old twin babies. The pilot in command had undertaken a morning run and other activities before the early morning flight departure.
No passengers were injured and the plane landed safely, but the incident is drawing scrutiny from aviation authorities.
Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry has grounded the BTK6723 flight crew pending further investigation.
In a report by Antara News, Director General M. Kristi Endah Murni stated:
We will conduct an investigation and review of the night flight operation in Indonesia regarding the Fatigue Risk Management for Batik Air and other flight operators.
She emphasized airlines must ensure proper crew rest to maintain alertness.
The ministry will dispatch inspectors to examine the root causes and recommend mitigation measures.
Murni warned:
Any penalty will be imposed according to the investigation report conducted by the investigator team.
The KNKT issued recommendations for Batik Air to improve guidance on pilot fitness self-assessments and develop cockpit check procedures to catch fatigue issues before flights.
The incident has raised concerns about pilot fatigue risks across Indonesia’s aviation sector. Safety experts stress fatigue can severely degrade performance and decision-making ability when operating aircraft.
Batik Air stated it is cooperating with authorities as the KNKT’s full investigation report is awaited in the coming months.
The airline has since taken safety actions, including issuing notices to pilots and flight attendants on vigilance and communication during flight operations, and ensuring personal fitness prior to flight duty.
Moreover, Batik Air has also reminded pilots to implement sufficient rest and review the “IM SAFE” personal checklist before each flight.
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