A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has uncovered an alarming incident involving two Indonesian pilots who fell asleep mid-flight. The pilots, one a captain and the other a co-pilot, were simultaneously asleep for approximately 28 minutes on a Batik Air flight from South East Sulawesi to Jakarta on January 25.

Fortunately, the Airbus A320's 153 passengers and four flight attendants remained unharmed during the incident, which resulted in a series of navigation errors. The flight, lasting two hours and 35 minutes, experienced no adverse consequences due to the pilots' brief unconsciousness.

The transport ministry has expressed strong reprimand towards Batik Air and has called for the airline industry to pay closer attention to their aircrew's rest time. Maria Kristi Endah Murni, the air transport director general, has stated that an investigation and review of night flight operations in Indonesia will be conducted to address fatigue risk management for Batik Air and all flight operators.

Batik Air, in a statement issued on Saturday, claimed to operate with an adequate rest policy and reassured their commitment to implementing all safety recommendations. The statement also revealed that the pilots involved in the incident have been temporarily suspended.

According to the report, one pilot had not gotten enough rest the night before the flight. About 90 minutes into the journey, the captain requested permission from the co-pilot to take a rest, to which the request was granted. Unfortunately, the co-pilot, who had twin babies just a month old, also ended up falling asleep while in command of the aircraft.

Approximately 28 minutes after the last recorded transmission by the co-pilot, the captain woke up and realized his colleague was asleep, and the aircraft was off its intended flight path. Taking immediate action, the captain woke his co-pilot, responded to calls from the Jakarta area control center, and corrected the flight path. The plane was able to safely land after the incident.

While the pilots' identities were not disclosed by the investigators, it was revealed that they were both Indonesian nationals aged 32 and 28. KNKT has recommended that Batik Air conduct regular cockpit checks and ensure that pilots and cabin crew are properly rested before their flights.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing fatigue risk management and ensuring the well-being of aircrew to maintain the highest standards of safety in air travel.