Indonesia’s aviation authority is set to review the operations of the country’s airlines regarding night flights after a shocking incident involving two pilots on a Batik Air flight. The flight, carrying 153 passengers from Kendari to Jakarta, saw both pilots fall asleep, causing the plane to briefly veer off course.
The incident occurred during the return leg of the journey, with the crew and plane spending less than an hour on the ground after arriving from Jakarta. The captain initially took a nap while the co-pilot manned the flight. However, the co-pilot also accidentally fell asleep, leading to several unanswered calls from air traffic control and other aircraft.
After 28 minutes, the pilot woke up to realize the plane had veered off course and promptly woke up the co-pilot to correct the course. The plane eventually landed safely in Jakarta, but the incident has raised concerns about the safety practices of Indonesia’s airlines.
Batik Air, owned by Lion Air Group, has a troubled safety record, with past incidents including fatal crashes. While Lion Air Group has made efforts to improve safety in recent years, questions remain about the effectiveness of these measures.
The preliminary report on the Batik Air incident revealed that the co-pilot had not slept well the night before the flight due to caring for his twin 1-month-olds. The report also highlighted deficiencies in the airline’s procedures for assessing pilot impairments and conducting cockpit checks during flights.
In response to the incident, Indonesia’s Ministry of Transport has announced an investigation and a review of how airlines manage crew fatigue during night flights. Batik Air has temporarily suspended both pilots involved in the incident.
The issue of crew fatigue in the aviation industry has been exacerbated by the pilot shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With many airline staff still not back in the industry, there is increased pressure on those working to perform at a high level under constraints.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of airline crew, particularly during night flights when fatigue can pose a significant risk. The outcome of the investigation and subsequent actions taken by the authorities and airlines will be closely watched to prevent similar incidents in the future.
