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On February 17, 2024, a Lufthansa Airbus A321 with 205 people on board flew on autopilot for 10 minutes after the copilot lost consciousness alone in the cockpit. The flight was en route from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville, Spain. The captain had briefly left the cockpit to use the restroom when the incident occurred. This was confirmed in a new report from Spain’s air safety authority, CIAIAC.

Copilot Collapse Led to Brief Loss of Control

The Airbus A321 carried 199 passengers and six crew members during the incident. The copilot’s sudden collapse caused unintentional movements of the flight controls. Fortunately, autopilot was engaged, keeping the aircraft on course despite these inputs.

The cockpit voice recorder captured sounds linked to the copilot’s “sudden and severe incapacitation,” according to the investigation. Air traffic controllers tried contacting the cockpit three times but received no response from the unconscious copilot.

Captain Regains Control After Emergency Entry

The captain attempted five times to unlock the cockpit door using the standard code, which triggers a chime inside. A crew member also called through the intercom system without success. Finally, the captain used an emergency override code to re-enter the cockpit and regain command of the plane.

The captain then diverted the flight to Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. The plane landed safely about 20 minutes later. Emergency medical teams took the copilot to a hospital, where he stayed for several hours.

Medical Cause: Undiagnosed Neurological Condition

After medical evaluation, investigators found the copilot suffered a previously unknown neurological condition. This illness was not detected during his routine aviation medical exams. Following the incident, his medical certification was suspended.

The CIAIAC report called this an “extraordinary circumstance” but emphasized pilots receive training for incapacitation events.

Airline and Crew Response

Lufthansa confirmed its awareness of the incident and said its internal safety team had conducted a review. However, the airline has not released findings from that internal investigation.

Flight attendants and a passenger who was a doctor provided immediate medical care to the copilot. He later recalled receiving help from the crew and medical staff onboard.

Pilot Incapacitation: A Rare But Known Risk

Pilot health emergencies mid-flight are rare but documented. According to CIAIAC, a European database recorded 287 pilot incapacitations from 2019 to 2024.

In addition, a 2004 US aviation report found 39 cases of pilot incapacitation between 1993 and 1998 on American airlines.

Safety Implications and Industry Practices

This incident highlights the importance of pilot health monitoring and cockpit safety protocols. Airlines regularly train crews to manage incapacitation scenarios to ensure flight safety. Autopilot systems also provide a critical safety net during emergencies.

As aviation authorities continue investigating, the event serves as a reminder of the risks associated with pilot medical emergencies and the measures in place to protect passengers.