Sun May 18 03:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Lufthansa Flight Flew Pilotless for 10 Minutes After Co-Pilot Faints
**Madrid, Spain -** A Lufthansa flight carrying 200 passengers flew without a pilot at the controls for approximately ten minutes last year after the co-pilot fainted, an investigation report revealed. The incident, which occurred on February 17, 2024, involved an Airbus A321 en route from Frankfurt to Seville, Spain.
According to a report by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC), the captain was in the restroom when the co-pilot, alone in the cockpit, lost consciousness. The captain’s attempts to re-enter the cockpit using both standard and emergency access codes proved unsuccessful.
For ten terrifying minutes, the aircraft continued its flight with no pilot in command. The autopilot system maintained the plane’s trajectory, preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome. Recordings captured unusual sounds indicating a medical emergency and documented the co-pilot’s involuntary movements.
Eventually, the co-pilot regained partial consciousness and managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing the captain to regain control of the aircraft. The flight was then diverted to Madrid, where it landed safely. The co-pilot was immediately hospitalized.
The investigation revealed that the co-pilot suffered a seizure caused by an undiagnosed neurological condition. The CIAIAC emphasized the difficulty of detecting such conditions during routine medical examinations unless prior symptoms have been reported.
Lufthansa has declined to comment beyond the investigation report. The incident raises concerns about pilot health and the robustness of cockpit access protocols in emergency situations.
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