Lufthansa Flight Incident: Co-Pilot Unconscious in Cockpit, Plane Flies Autopilot for Ten Minutes

A serious incident occurred on a Lufthansa flight when the co-pilot lost consciousness while the captain was away from the cockpit. The Airbus A321, carrying 199 passengers and six crew members, flew for approximately ten minutes without a pilot in control. This event took place on February 17, 2024, during a journey from Frankfurt to Sevilla, and the details have only recently come to light following the release of the investigation report by the Spanish aviation accident authority, CIAIAC.

According to the report, the captain left the cockpit to use the restroom at 10:31 AM, after which the co-pilot appeared to be alert and fit. However, just 36 seconds later, the cockpit voice recorder captured unusual sounds, indicating that the co-pilot had suffered a seizure and collapsed.

Despite the co-pilot's unconscious state, the aircraft continued to fly safely due to the autopilot system, highlighting the potential dangers of the situation as the co-pilot could have inadvertently disabled the autopilot. The captain attempted to re-enter the cockpit but was unable to do so using the standard door code. A flight attendant attempted to establish communication with the co-pilot through the onboard phone system, but the reinforced cockpit door could not be opened forcibly.

After several failed attempts to open the door, the captain entered an emergency code, which allowed the door to unlock automatically. Shortly before the door was set to open, the co-pilot managed to unlock it from the inside. Observing that the co-pilot was pale, sweating profusely, and exhibiting unusual movements, the captain opted for an emergency landing in Madrid, as it was the nearest airport. The flight landed safely, and a doctor who was on board provided first aid to the co-pilot, who was subsequently transported to a hospital for further evaluation.

The investigation revealed that the co-pilot had experienced a neurological episode, and there were no prior medical issues indicated in his health records. The CIAIAC commended the crew's response as efficient and effective under the circumstances.

This incident raises significant questions regarding cockpit safety protocols, particularly the necessity for a second qualified person to be present in the cockpit when one pilot leaves for any reason, such as a restroom break. The situation has drawn parallels to the tragic Germanwings Flight 9525 incident, where a pilot was locked out of the cockpit by a co-pilot who subsequently crashed the plane, resulting in the loss of all passengers.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is now being urged to reassess safety regulations in light of this event. The CIAIAC has suggested that having an additional authorized person in the cockpit could have expedited the recognition of the co-pilot's incapacitation and facilitated a prompt response from the remaining crew. Although EASA previously recommended the presence of a second person in the cockpit, this guidance was revised in 2016, allowing airlines to evaluate risks independently.