In a deeply unsettling aviation incident that occurred on February 17, 2024, a Lufthansa flight bound for Spain flew for nearly ten minutes without a pilot in command after the co-pilot fainted alone in the cockpit, according to a report by the Associated Press.
The Airbus A321, carrying 200 passengers and six crew members, had taken off from Frankfurt, Germany, en route to Seville, Spain, when the emergency unfolded mid-flight. At the time of the incident, the captain had stepped away from the cockpit to use the restroom, leaving the co-pilot in charge. During the captain’s brief absence, the co-pilot suffered a sudden medical emergency and lost consciousness.
What followed was a harrowing ten minutes during which the aircraft flew on autopilot, without any human at the controls. The plane’s autopilot system, designed to maintain altitude and direction during periods of pilot inaction, played a critical role in averting a potential disaster.
According to the findings of the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC), the captain made multiple attempts to re-enter the cockpit using both standard and emergency override codes but was unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the cockpit voice recorder captured alarming audio — sounds that pointed to a medical crisis, as the co-pilot remained unresponsive and was reportedly making involuntary movements. The co-pilot eventually regained partial consciousness, enough to open the cockpit door and allow the captain back in.
Once back in the cockpit, the captain assumed control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to Madrid, where the plane landed safely. Upon landing, the co-pilot was immediately hospitalized.
Subsequent medical evaluations revealed that the co-pilot had suffered a seizure caused by an undiagnosed neurological condition. Investigators noted that the condition had no previously reported symptoms, making it nearly impossible to detect through standard aviation medical screenings.
The CIAIAC acknowledged that neurological disorders without evident history or prior symptoms pose a significant challenge to aviation safety, as they often escape detection during routine pilot health assessments.
Responding to the report, a Lufthansa spokesperson told the South China Morning Post (SCMP), “We ask for your understanding that we will not comment beyond the investigation report.”
While no passengers were physically harmed, the incident has raised pressing questions regarding cockpit safety protocols, medical evaluations of pilots, and access mechanisms to the cockpit during emergencies.
This close call serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance maintained in aviation safety and how autopilot systems and timely decision-making can prevent tragedies even in the most unexpected circumstances.
