Plane carrying 157 passengers veers off path as pilots fall asleep midflight

A Batik Air Flight from Kendari to Jakarta veered off course when both pilots fell asleep in the cockpit.

The flight was carrying 157 passengers and veered off course about an hour and a half after takeoff.

Reports indicate that both pilots fell asleep for around 28 minutes at an altitude of 36,000 feet (10,973 meters).

An official report by Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee did not disclose the pilots’ identities but mentioned that the pilot in command was a 32-year-old male, and the second in command was a 28-year-old male, both Indonesian.

Both pilots were cleared to fly after passing health checks and alcohol tests before departure.

However, 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot in command asked for permission to rest and fell asleep for almost an hour.

When the pilot woke up, he offered the second in command a chance to sleep, but the offer was declined.

The pilot in command continued to sleep while the deputy pilot remained in control.

During a communication with Jakarta’s control center, the second pilot also fell asleep, leading to unanswered calls from the control center.

After 28 minutes of no response, the first pilot woke up and realized the aircraft was off course.

The pilot corrected the path, and the plane landed safely in Jakarta.

All passengers and crew were unharmed, and the aircraft was undamaged.

Indonesia’s civil aviation director, Maria Kristi Endah Murni, stated that the transportation Ministry strongly reprimanded Batik Air for the incident and will investigate the night flight operations for fatigue risk management.

According to a statement by Batik Air, the two pilots have been temporarily suspended.