Jakarta –
Water Batik took a stand regarding the actions of the pilot and co-pilot who fell asleep together for 28 minutes when the plane flew from Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, to Jakarta. The pilot and copilot have been relieved of their duties since the end of January.
“On January 26 2024, Batik Air took preventive action by temporarily deactivating (releasing) the pilot of flight number ID-6723 on the Kendari to Jakarta route who was on duty on January 25 2024,” said Corporate Communications Strategic of Batik Air, Danang Mandala Prihantoro, when contacted, Saturday (9/3/2024).
Danang said the pilot and co-pilot were still following a series of investigation processes carried out by the airline. He said the temporary suspension sanction was Batik Air’s commitment to maintaining passenger safety.
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“This decision is a form of the company’s seriousness about the importance of safety aspects and in order to carry out a comprehensive investigation,” said Danang.
Danang also said that his party had followed the safety recommendations given by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT). He said Batik Air had improved flight operational safety procedures for all flight crew.
“With an adequate rest time policy, Batik Air re-emphasizes the understanding of the importance of maximizing rest time for flight crew so that they remain in top condition before carrying out flying duties. This is an important step in efforts to always maintain the highest standards in aviation safety,” said Danang.
Pilot-Copilot grounded
The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) said that the pilots of Batik Air airline who fell asleep at the same time on the Kendari-Jakarta flight in-grounded. Ministry of Transportation also gave a strong warning to the airline.
“Next for the BTK6723 crew it has beengrounded “according to the internal SOP for further investigation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation will send a flight inspector who handles Resolution of Safety Issues (RSI) to find the root of the problem and recommend mitigation actions related to this case to flight operators and supervisors,” said Director General of Civil Aviation M Kristi Endah Murni in a press release received, Saturday (9/3/2024).
Kristi also said that the Directorate General (DG) of Air Transportation, Ministry of Transportation, had given a strong warning to Batik Air and would carry out a special investigation regarding the case. Kristi said airlines need to pay attention to the time and quality of rest for pilots and other flight crew, which affects alertness in flight.
“We will carry out an investigation and review night flight operation in Indonesia related to fatigue risk management (risk management for fatigue) for Batik Air and all flight operators,” explained Kristi.
(ygs/dhn)