Indonesian Pilots Fall Asleep Mid-Flight, Prompting Safety Investigations

A Batik Air flight veered off course after both pilots dozed off, leading to a probe into aircrew rest policies and fatigue management.

Two Indonesian pilots of Batik Air fell asleep simultaneously for 28 minutes during a flight from Southeast Sulawesi to Jakarta, causing the plane to veer off course.
The incident, which occurred on January 25, involved a flight carrying 153 passengers and four flight attendants, all of whom were unharmed.
Indonesia's Transport Ministry and the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) have launched investigations into the incident, emphasizing the importance of aircrew rest time and fatigue risk management.
The pilots, who had been deemed fit to fly after passing health checks and alcohol tests, have been temporarily suspended pending further investigation.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion on pilot fatigue and safety protocols in the aviation industry.