MADRID — A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville flew without a conscious pilot for a terrifying 10 minutes after the first officer collapsed alone in the cockpit, according to a newly released investigation by Spanish aviation authorities.
The dramatic mid-air emergency occurred in February 2024 but came to light this week following the release of the final report by Spain’s Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). The incident unfolded aboard an Airbus A321 carrying more than 200 passengers as it cruised through Spanish airspace, about 30 minutes from its scheduled destination.
According to the report, the flight had been uneventful until the captain left the cockpit for a brief restroom break. The first officer had shown no signs of distress at the time, and the two had just discussed weather conditions and aircraft operations minutes earlier.
But during the captain’s absence, the first officer lost consciousness, leaving the plane without an active pilot at the controls.
Upon returning, the captain found himself locked out of the cockpit and made multiple attempts to re-enter using the standard security code. Simultaneously, a flight attendant attempted to reach the unresponsive first officer via the intercom. As the situation escalated, the captain initiated emergency override procedures to force entry.
Just before the override timer expired, the first officer briefly regained consciousness and managed to unlock the door manually. However, he appeared “pale, sweating, and moving erratically,” according to the report. The captain resumed control of the aircraft and quickly diverted the flight to Madrid—the nearest suitable airport.
A physician who happened to be a passenger onboard assisted the cabin crew in administering first aid to the incapacitated co-pilot. Upon landing, the first officer was rushed to a hospital in the Spanish capital.
Investigators later confirmed that the first officer suffered a “sudden and severe incapacitation” due to a seizure associated with an undiagnosed neurological disorder. According to Spain’s aviation authority, the condition is extremely difficult to detect unless symptoms are actively present during a medical exam or have occurred previously—neither of which had applied in this case.
The CIAIAC has since urged the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to issue a notice to airlines highlighting the incident and reviewing health screening protocols for flight crew members.
Lufthansa has yet to publicly respond to media inquiries regarding the report’s findings.
The Lufthansa scare adds to a growing list of high-profile aviation incidents across Europe. In a separate event this week, a Ryanair flight from Porto to Belgium was forced to land at Charleroi Airport after a bomb threat was reported. Police evacuated 170 passengers from the aircraft while investigating the potential threat.
These recent events have reignited concerns about aviation safety, crew health monitoring, and emergency preparedness aboard commercial flights.
