Lufthansa flight pilot missing in action for 10 minutes — Here’s what saved the flight

A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville flew without a conscious pilot for around ten minutes on 17 February 2024. The Airbus A321 carried 199 passengers and six crew members. The incident began when the captain left the cockpit to use the restroom. Alone at the controls, the co-pilot suddenly lost consciousness.

The captain was locked out of the cockpit and could not get back in despite trying several standard and emergency door codes. During this tense period, the plane flew on autopilot, keeping a steady course. This prevented what could have been a serious accident.

What happened onboard the Lufthansa flight?

The locked cockpit door, designed to prevent unauthorised entry, posed a major hurdle in this emergency. The captain attempted to open the door multiple times, even using an emergency override code that would have unlocked it automatically. Meanwhile, a flight attendant tried to contact the co-pilot through the onboard telephone.

The cockpit voice recorder captured unusual noises consistent with a medical emergency. It also recorded the co-pilot’s unintentional movements as he remained incapacitated. Finally, the co-pilot partially regained consciousness and managed to open the door, allowing the captain to return and take control.

Safe landing and medical findings

Following the incident, the flight was diverted to Madrid, where it landed safely. The co-pilot was immediately hospitalised for medical evaluation. Investigators later determined that the co-pilot had suffered a seizure caused by an undiagnosed neurological condition.

The Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) highlighted the difficulty of detecting such conditions during routine medical checks unless there are previous symptoms. Lufthansa declined to comment beyond the official investigation report. In a statement to SCMP, they said, “We ask for your understanding that we will not comment beyond the investigation report.”

Here's why two pilots matter

This incident serves as a stark reminder of why aviation rules require two qualified pilots in the cockpit at all times during commercial flights. Flying a modern jet is no simple task. It demands constant attention to navigation, communication with air traffic control, system monitoring, and quick decision-making.

The captain and co-pilot work as a team. If one becomes incapacitated, the other can take over immediately. This setup reduces risks, especially during long flights or stressful situations like turbulence or emergencies. Two pilots split the workload, helping to lower fatigue and minimise mistakes.

As one expert put it, it’s not about trust; “It’s about being smart, safe, and always prepared for the unexpected.” Two pilots working together are essential to keep hundreds of lives safe every flight.

The ten minutes without a conscious pilot might seem frightening, but the situation ended safely thanks to technology and procedures in place. The autopilot maintained stable flight. The locked cockpit door, while a security measure, showed its limits in emergencies. Most importantly, the co-pilot’s return to consciousness restored normal control.

(With inputs from AP)