Co-pilot fainted mid-flight while captain was on a bathroom break
Chaos in the Cockpit
A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville flew for 10 minutes without anyone actively controlling the plane. This happened after the co-pilot fainted while alone in the cockpit.
The incident took place on February 17, 2024. There were 199 passengers and six crew members on board at the time.
According to German news agency dpa, the captain had left the cockpit to use the restroom. Minutes later, the co-pilot collapsed.
Autopilot Saved the Day
Fortunately, the Airbus A321 was on autopilot. Despite the medical emergency, the aircraft continued flying steadily.
Investigators believe the co-pilot may have accidentally touched the controls while unconscious. However, autopilot systems kept the plane stable throughout.
The Spanish air accident authority CIAIAC later confirmed that the plane remained under control during the incident.
Captain Locked Out
The captain returned and tried to re-enter the cockpit. He used the standard security code five times. Each attempt triggered a buzzer inside the cockpit. But there was no response.
A flight attendant also tried calling the co-pilot using the intercom. Still, nothing.
Ten minutes passed. Tension rose in the cabin.
Then the captain used an emergency override code. This code would open the cockpit door automatically after a short delay. But just before it opened, the co-pilot, despite being sick, managed to unlock the door from inside.
Immediate Diversion to Madrid
Once back in the cockpit, the captain took over. He chose to divert the flight to Madrid for safety.
Emergency medical staff met the plane on arrival. The co-pilot was taken to hospital for treatment.
His current condition has not been disclosed.
Airline Investigation Underway
Lufthansa confirmed the incident and stated its own flight safety team launched a separate investigation. However, the airline has not shared its internal findings.
A spokesperson said, “We are cooperating fully with aviation authorities.”
Health and Safety Concerns
The cockpit voice recorder captured strange sounds during the event. These were consistent with a serious medical episode, the report stated.
Experts say the incident raises concerns about crew health and cockpit access protocols. While modern planes can fly themselves, human oversight remains critical.
Industry Reaction
Aviation safety analysts have weighed in. Most agree the autopilot likely prevented disaster. Still, the situation could have turned deadly.
“Ten minutes is a long time,” said one former airline pilot. “Anything could have gone wrong.”
Protocols Under Review
Airlines may now review their cockpit security procedures. Currently, one pilot is allowed to be alone for short periods. This policy may change after the Lufthansa scare.
“Redundancy is key in aviation,” said an industry insider. “One person in the cockpit might not be enough.”
Passengers Unaware
Surprisingly, most passengers remained unaware of the drama unfolding behind the cockpit door. Cabin crew stayed calm. The flight appeared routine until the announcement about landing in Madrid.
The plane eventually continued on to Seville after a new co-pilot was brought in.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a reminder that even routine flights can face serious challenges. Fast thinking, technology, and a bit of luck kept this situation from becoming a tragedy.
Authorities continue to investigate what caused the co-pilot’s sudden collapse. In the meantime, Lufthansa has reassured passengers of its commitment to safety and health standards on board.
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