Sun May 18 01:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, summarizing the key points:
**Co-Pilot Faints, Leaving Lufthansa Flight Unattended for 10 Minutes**
MADRID – A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville experienced a terrifying 10-minute period last year when the co-pilot fainted while alone in the cockpit, according to a report by the Spanish accident investigation authority CIAIAC.
The incident occurred on February 17, 2024, while the captain was in the restroom. The Airbus A321, carrying 199 passengers and six crew members, continued flying on autopilot while the co-pilot was unconscious.
The captain attempted to regain entry to the cockpit by using the standard door code, but received no response. A flight attendant also tried to contact the co-pilot via the onboard telephone, without success. As the captain was about to use an emergency override code, the co-pilot, despite his condition, managed to open the door.
Lufthansa has confirmed it is aware of the CIAIAC report and has conducted its own internal investigation, but has not released the findings. While the unconscious co-pilot may have inadvertently operated some controls, the autopilot system kept the plane stable. The cockpit voice recorder captured unusual sounds indicative of a medical emergency.
Following the incident, the captain made an unscheduled landing in Madrid, where the co-pilot was taken to a hospital. The incident raises concerns about pilot health and safety protocols during flights.
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