New Delhi: In a startling turn of events, two pilots aboard a Batik Air flight from Sulawesi to Jakarta in Indonesia fell asleep mid-flight, resulting in the Airbus A320 veering off course for approximately 28 minutes. Heres what unfolded during this shocking incident.A mid-flight slumberThe alarming incident took place on January 25 when the pilots, aged 28 and 32, both temporarily lost consciousness during the journey. The pilots, whose identities have been disclosed as a 28-year-old man and a 32-year-old man, were suspended following the incident.Upon awakening after nearly 28 minutes of sleep, the pilots were confronted with the realization that the aircraft had deviated from its designated flight path.Fatigue amid dutyThe sequence of events leading to the mid-flight slumber began when the 32-year-old pilot, feeling fatigued, requested his co-pilot to assume control of the aircraft approximately half an hour after takeoff. Subsequently, both pilots succumbed to sleep, causing a critical lapse in vigilance.The 28-year-old pilot, reportedly grappling with sleep deprivation due to caring for his newborn twins, found himself unable to resist the urge to sleep, even while on duty.Aviation safety concernsEfforts by Jakarta air traffic control to establish contact with the flight deck remained unanswered during the pilots slumber, raising concerns about the aircrafts operational status.Fortunately, the aircraft, carrying 153 passengers and crew members, landed safely despite the deviation from its intended course.Post-incident evaluationMedical assessments conducted prior to the flight indicated that the pilots were physically fit to operate the aircraft. However, the evaluations failed to account for the quality of rest obtained by the pilots, highlighting a critical oversight in pre-flight protocols.Indonesias aviation authorities underscored the importance of airlines prioritizing crew rest periods to mitigate the risk of fatigue-related incidents in the future.In response to the incident, Batik Air reiterated its commitment to adhering to safety protocols and pledged to implement enhanced measures to safeguard against similar occurrences in the future.The incident underscores the imperative for stringent adherence to aviation safety protocols and underscores the need for comprehensive assessments of pilot readiness, including considerations for adequate rest and fatigue management.
