Reportedly Indonesia government is taking up investigation of the local air arm Batik Air as both the pilots fell asleep for more than 28 minutes mid flight. For now, both men have been temporarily suspended. They fall asleep mid flight on 25 January from Sulawesi to capital of Jakarta.
Batik Air faces investigation
According to a report from the transport ministry., The Airbus A320 slightly veered off course but safely landed the 153 passengers and crew members. After half an hour of take off, 32 year pilot had asked his co-pilot to take control of the aircraft citing his dire need to rest. 28 year old co-pilot, who also helped his wife with one month old newborn twins, fell asleep mid flight.
Jakarta air traffic control tried to contact the cockpit of Batik air airbus A320 but observed no response for about 28 minutes. After that senior pilot assumed the responsibility and safely landed the aircraft. The Batik Air is reprimanded for this extreme act of irresponsibility and further suspension of both the pilots.
According to sources, medical tests before the flight declared that men were fit to fly. Their blood pressure and heart rate were normal and alcohol tests came back negative. However, the test failed to determine whether they need more rest or not, basically the quality of rest, aviation expert Alvin Lie.
M Kristi Endah Murni, reprimanded Batik Air and ordered that Batik Air should pay more attention to their crew’s rest time. Batik Air has cited that it “operates with adequate rest policy” and that it was “committed to implement all safety recommendations”.
It is not the first time such incident has happened in airline. In 2019, the same airline was forced to have an emergency landing after the pilot fainted.
Such probe and irresponsibility will negatively impact batik air review and other related stuff. There is long drawn debate over strictness of pilot rules and In recent times, Indian Authorities made pilot rules more strict and surveillance multi pronged before boarding the flight. Is it right time to adopt such vast pilot rules for Indonesia?
