Two pilots fall asleep for almost 30 minutes during flight

An investigation has revealed two pilots fell asleep for almost 30 minutes during a flight.

The incident took place on January 25 on an Airbus A320 Batik Air flight - flight number BTK6723 - traveling from Halu Oleo Airport in Kendari to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.

The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) discovered two pilots were both asleep at the same time for around 28 minutes.

The KNKT report was released last month and reveals the plane made a successful first trip fro Jakarta to Kendari, however, it was the journey back when the 'serious incident' occurred.

Operated by two pilots and four flight attendants, the aircraft took off from Kendari at 7:48 LT with 153 passengers onboard.

The commanding pilot had his request for a rest granted during the earlier part of the flight, however at 1:43 UTC, the second in command (SIC) 'inadvertently fell asleep'.

Getty Images/ Afriadi Kimal/ NurPhoto

The report continues: "At 0156 UTC or 12 minutes after the last recorded transmission from the SIC, the Jakarta Area Control Center ACC asked BTK6723 how long the aircraft need to fly on the current heading (250°). There was no reply from the pilots."

A minute later, the Jakarta ACC called the flight once again and there was similarly 'no response from the pilots'.

"Several attempts to contact BTK6723 had been made by the Jakarta ACC including asking other pilots to call the BTK6723. None of the calls were responded by the BTK6723 pilots." the report said.

After '28 minutes' since the 'last recorded transmission from the SIC' - at 2:11 UTC - the pilot in command (PIC) 'woke up' and quickly realised the effect the pair napping had on the journey.

Getty Images/ Agoes Rudianto/ NurPhoto

According to the report, as a result of both pilots falling asleep at the same time, the aircraft ended up not being in the 'correct flight path'.

The commanding pilot woke up the co-pilot and spoke with Jakarta ACC, allegedly telling the control center the plane had 'experienced radio communication problem' which had since been 'resolved'.

Thankfully, the plane 'landed at Jakerta uneventfully' and 'no one was injured' nor was the aircraft damaged.

The investigation has analysed the 'total flying time' of the unnamed pilots within a 90 day period, alongside what they were both doing in the lead up to that day and the 'rest period' of the duo before conducting the flight on 25 January.

The PIC, 35 years old, had '35 hours' of rest period 'prior to conducting the flight duty' and the SIC, 28 years old, had '53 hours'.

Both pilots had 'normal' blood pressure and heart rate test results and 'negative' alcohol test results - 'considered fit for the flight duty' - however, the SIC had reported 'degraded' sleep quality the day prior to the flight as a result of helping his wife 'take care of the babies'.

Pexels/ Kristin Vogt

Director General of Civil Aviation at Kementerian Perhubungan Republik Indonesia, Maria Kristi Endah Murni, has said the transport ministry 'strongly reprimands' the airline over the incident.

She said: "We will carry out an investigation and review of the night flight operation in Indonesia related with fatigue risk management for Batik Air and all flight operators."

In its report, the KNKT also released several safety recommendations, including specific recommendations to Batik Air to develop more 'detailed procedures' in checking the cockpits and making sure its pilots are rested before flights.

Batik Air said it is 'committed to implement all safety recommendations' and 'operates with adequate rest policy' in a statement released yesterday (March 9).

It added both pilots have been temporarily suspended.

UNILAD has contacted Batik Air for comment.