Indonesian Pilots Fall Asleep Mid-Flight Due to Newborn Twins, Investigation Underway

Indonesian aviation authorities are scrutinizing a recent incident involving two pilots from Batik Air, who fell asleep mid-flight during a journey from Sulawesi to Jakarta. The Airbus A320 aircraft temporarily veered off course, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the pilots’ unusual nap.

During the flight, the 32-year-old pilot instructed his 28-year-old co-pilot to assume control of the plane as he needed rest. The younger co-pilot, who had recently become a father to newborn twins and was grappling with sleep deprivation, inadvertently dozed off at the controls, leading to a deviation from the designated flight path.

Despite Jakarta air traffic control’s attempts to establish contact with the cockpit, there was a prolonged period of radio silence lasting nearly 30 minutes. It was only when the senior pilot awoke that communication was restored, and corrective action was taken to guide the aircraft back on track.

The transport ministry’s investigation found that both pilots had been deemed physically fit for duty before the flight, with normal vital signs and negative alcohol tests. However, the toll of caring for newborn infants and relocating homes prior to the flight had evidently taken a toll on the younger pilot’s sleep patterns.

Batik Air, the airline involved in the incident, has faced strong criticism from authorities. M Kristi Endah Murni, the head of air transport in Indonesia, emphasized the need for airlines to prioritize crew rest time and implement measures to mitigate fatigue risks in operational procedures.