South East Asia (SEA)

In a harrowing incident, a Batik Air flight from Kendari to Jakarta faced a perilous situation when both pilots reportedly dozed off mid-air, leaving the aircraft unmanned for approximately 28 minutes. This shocking revelation comes from a preliminary report by the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), shedding light on the critical issue of pilot fatigue and its implications for aviation safety in Indonesia. Operated by an Airbus A320 and carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, the flight commenced its journey from Kendari at 3:05 a.m. local time. Approximately an hour into the flight, the captain sought permission from the first officer to take a brief nap, a request that was granted. Subsequently, the first officer assumed control of the aircraft but unintentionally succumbed to sleep as well. During this unanticipated period of dual slumber, the plane deviated from its assigned flight path and altitude, and crucially, failed to respond to repeated calls ...