Indonesian Airline Batik Air Pilots Fall Asleep Midflight, Investigation Underway
An Indonesian airliner, Batik Air, is currently under investigation after a concerning incident occurred during a flight on January 25. The flight, which was en route from South East Sulawesi to Jakarta, took a dangerous turn when both pilots in command fell asleep midflight.
The pilot in command reportedly dozed off for an hour, while his deputy also fell asleep for 28 minutes. This led to the aircraft veering off course, prompting air traffic control to attempt to contact flight BTK6723 with no response from the sleeping pilots.
Fortunately, the pilot eventually woke up and was able to safely land the aircraft in Jakarta. Both pilots have since been temporarily suspended while an investigation is conducted into the incident.
The second-in-command pilot cited struggling to get enough sleep due to caring for newborn twins at home as a reason for the dangerous midflight dozing. This emphasizes the importance of proper rest and the potential risks of fatigue in the aviation industry.
The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role of well-rested and alert pilots in ensuring the safety of air travel. Authorities are working to determine the factors that led to the pilots falling asleep midflight and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Stay tuned for updates as the investigation unfolds.
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