Pilots fall asleep

Pilots Take Unplanned Nap Mid-Flight, Stirring Investigation

Shocking news as two pilots from Indonesia's Batik Air doze off for almost half an hour during a flight with more than 150 passengers on board. 😴✈️ #PilotNap #FlightChaos

In a bizarre turn of events, two pilots from Batik Air in Indonesia found themselves at the center of an investigation after falling asleep mid-flight for nearly 30 minutes. The incident occurred during a roundtrip flight between Halu Oleo Airport in Kendari and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee reported that both pilots were asleep for 28 minutes, causing the plane to veer off course. The younger pilot, who recently became a father of twins and moved homes, struggled to stay awake due to lack of sleep in the days leading up to the flight.

As authorities look into the unsettling incident, it has been revealed that the co-pilot, who took control when the pilots fell asleep, also had difficulty staying alert as he had been up caring for his newborn twins. The plane, carrying 153 passengers, deviated from its intended route, raising concerns about aviation safety procedures. Batik Air A320 was on an unexpected trajectory on January 25, 2024, leading to a thorough investigation by aviation authorities.

The episode sheds light on the challenging work-life balance faced by pilots and emphasizes the criticality of alertness in aviation. Falling asleep while on duty poses serious risks not only to the crew but also to the passengers onboard. The incident serves as a reminder of the stringent safety measures that must be upheld in the aviation industry to prevent such lapses in the future.