In a harrowing incident that unfolded in February 2024 but has only recently come to light, a Lufthansa Airbus A321 carrying over 200 passengers flew without a pilot for approximately ten minutes after the first officer lost consciousness mid-flight. The event occurred during a flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville, Spain, and has raised significant concerns about cockpit safety protocols.
According to a final report released by Spanish investigators on May 15, the captain had briefly left the cockpit to use the restroom, leaving the 38-year-old first officer alone at the controls. During the captain’s absence, the first officer suffered a seizure caused by an undiagnosed neurological condition, rendering him unconscious.
Upon returning, the captain found himself locked out of the cockpit. Attempts to re-enter using standard and emergency access codes were unsuccessful, as the emergency code’s timer had expired. The aircraft continued on autopilot during this period, maintaining stable flight.
Approximately ten minutes later, the first officer regained partial consciousness and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the captain to resume control. The first officer was described as pale, sweating, and disoriented. He received immediate assistance from cabin crew and a doctor onboard. The flight was subsequently diverted to Madrid, where the co-pilot was hospitalized.
Investigators concluded that the first officer’s medical condition would have been difficult to detect during routine examinations unless symptoms had previously manifested. In light of the incident, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has been urged to review and potentially revise safety procedures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Lufthansa has acknowledged the incident but has not publicly disclosed the findings of its internal review.