KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. The pilot and co-pilot of Batik Air reportedly fell asleep while flying the plane from Halu Oleo Airport, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, to Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday (25/1). 

The incident was revealed in a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT). 

KNKT stated the type of aircraft flown by the sleeping pilot and co-pilot was an Airbus A320 with the registration number PK-LUV.  "This aircraft is operated by two pilots and four flight attendants. It operates as a scheduled passenger flight from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (WIII) Jakarta to Halu Oleo Airport (WAWW) Kendari and returns," KNKT wrote in its report.

Chronology of Batik Air pilot and co-pilot falling asleep 

Baca Juga: Pilot Batik Air Tertidur Saat Penerbangan Kendari-Jakarta, Ini Kronologisnya

KNKT explained, that the Batik Air aircraft with registration number PK-LUV initially made its first flight from Jakarta to Kendari on Thursday at 02.55 WIB. 

Before the plane took off, the second in command (SIC) or co-pilot informed the pilot in command (PIC) or pilot that he was not well-rested. 

Next, the plane took off towards Kendari at an altitude of 10,973 meters. During the flight, the pilot offered the co-pilot to rest due to his lack of rest. 

The co-pilot then rested in the cockpit and slept for about 30 minutes. At that time, the pilot took over the co-pilot's duties as pilot monitoring (PM). 

Baca Juga: Indonesia anti-trust agency says 7 airlines guilty over ticket prices

KNKT wrote the co-pilot woke up before the plane began to descend. As the plane approached Kendari, Kendari Air Traffic Control (ATC) informed us that the weather was below the minimum standard for landing and the airport was still closed. 

"The plane then held for about 30 minutes at Waypoint ESGIX located 14 Nm from the airport on bearing 260," KNKT explained. 

According to KNKT, the plane landed in Kendari at 07.48 local time using runway 26 and parked at apron parking stand number 4. 

"During this transit, both pilots ate instant noodles in the cockpit. After the passenger disembarkation was completed, the boarding process for the return flight to Jakarta began," KNKT explained. 

Editor: Syamsul Azhar