An Airbus A321 operated by Lufthansa, carrying 205 people, flew without a pilot for approximately 10 minutes after the copilot fainted while alone in the cockpit. The incident occurred on February 17, 2024, during a flight from Frankfurt to Seville and was recently documented in a report by Spain’s Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (Ciaiac).
The Critical Moment: Captain Out of the Cockpit
According to the report, the captain briefly left to use the restroom, leaving the copilot in command. During this time, the copilot suffered a “sudden and severe incapacitation,” as recorded by the cockpit voice recorder. Although the autopilot maintained the flight’s course, the copilot inadvertently activated controls while unconscious.
For several minutes, an air traffic controller attempted to contact the copilot three times but received no response. The lack of communication raised alarms, though the aircraft remained on course without critical deviations.
Failed Access Attempts and Forced Entry
Upon returning, the captain faced an unusual situation: the cockpit door was locked, and there was no response from inside. He tried five times to open it using the standard code, triggering an alarm. Additionally, a crew member attempted to communicate via intercom but got no reply.
With no response, the captain used the emergency code to force entry and regain control of the plane.
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Medical Attention and Emergency Diversion
Once inside, the captain took command and decided to divert the flight to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, where it landed safely about 20 minutes later.
The copilot received assistance from the crew and a doctor who was traveling as a passenger. He regained consciousness and later recalled being treated during the flight. He was transported to a hospital after landing, where he remained under observation for several hours.
Underlying Medical Condition and Certificate Suspension
The investigation concluded that the copilot had a pre-existing neurological condition that had gone undetected during aeronautical medical exams. As a result, his medical certificate was suspended.
Lufthansa, when contacted by CNN and the German news agency dpa, confirmed awareness of the report and stated that its own Air Safety Department had conducted an internal investigation, the results of which were not publicly disclosed.
In-Flight Incapacitation: A Rare but Real Phenomenon
Ciaiac classified the incident as an “extraordinary circumstance,” noting that captains are trained to take command in case of another pilot’s incapacitation.
Though uncommon, in-flight incapacitations are not unheard of. According to the European Commission’s transport incident database, 287 cases of pilot incapacitation were recorded between 2019 and 2024. A 2004 FAA report had documented 39 similar cases in U.S. airlines between 1993 and 1998.
This incident underscores the importance of safety protocols, crew training, and the need for continuous review of medical evaluation systems in commercial aviation. While autopilot can fly an aircraft for a limited time, human factors remain decisive for flight safety.
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