A pilot and co-pilot for Indonesian airline Batik Air both fell asleep simultaneously for approximately 28 minutes during a flight on Jan. 25, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT). The incident occurred on flight BTK6723, an Airbus A320 traveling from Kendari in Southeast Sulawesi to the capital, Jakarta, with 153 passengers and four flight attendants on board.
The KNKT report, released in late February, details the sequence of events at a cruising altitude of 36,000 feet. Approximately 90 minutes after takeoff, the 32-year-old pilot-in-command requested a rest period from his 28-year-old co-pilot, who then took control of the aircraft.
According to the report, the co-pilot remained in communication with air traffic controllers but subsequently “inadvertently fell asleep.” Air traffic control in Jakarta made multiple attempts to contact the aircraft, but received no response for 28 minutes. During this time, the aircraft deviated from its designated flight path.
The pilot-in-command awoke, discovered the co-pilot was also asleep, and realized the aircraft was not on the correct course. He then responded to communications from air traffic control, corrected the flight path, and the plane continued to Jakarta, where it landed without incident. No injuries to passengers or crew were reported.
The investigation found that one of the pilots had not obtained adequate rest the night before the flight. The KNKT report did not name the pilots but noted the pilot-in-command had recently moved and was assisting his wife with the care of their one-month-old twin babies.
In response to the findings, Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation issued a “strong reprimand” to Batik Air. The director general of air transportation, M. Kristi Endah Murni, stated the ministry would conduct its own investigation into the incident and called on airlines to strengthen their fatigue risk management policies.
Batik Air issued a statement confirming the pilots involved have been temporarily suspended pending further investigation. The airline said it is committed to implementing all safety recommendations and improving its procedures for monitoring crew alertness. The KNKT has urged Batik Air to establish detailed procedures for conducting regular and effective cockpit checks to ensure pilot fitness before and during flights.
