Lufthansa Flight Operated Without Pilot for 10 Minutes After Copilot Collapsed Mid-Air

TDT | Manama

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A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville operated without a pilot for nearly 10 minutes in February 2024 after the copilot fainted alone in the cockpit, according to a new report from Spain’s Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC).

The incident occurred when the aircraft's captain temporarily left the flight deck to use the restroom, leaving the copilot in command. During this brief period, the copilot lost consciousness due to what investigators later determined was a previously undiagnosed neurological condition. The autopilot kept the Airbus A321 flying steadily, though the copilot unintentionally manipulated some controls before passing out.

Attempts by air traffic control to contact the cockpit went unanswered. The captain, unable to get a response after multiple attempts using the standard access code and intercom, ultimately used an emergency override to regain entry and safely resume control of the aircraft.

There were 199 passengers and six crew members onboard at the time. A doctor who was a passenger assisted in providing medical aid to the copilot, who eventually regained consciousness. The flight was diverted to Madrid, where it landed safely and the copilot was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

The copilot’s medical certification has since been suspended. The CIAIAC classified the event as an “extraordinary circumstance” and highlighted that captains are trained to handle such rare but critical scenarios.