Pilot locked out as Lufthansa co-pilot collapses mid-flight

A startling incident unfolded aboard a Lufthansa aircraft carrying approximately 200 passengers, when the plane flew for nearly 10 minutes without any active pilot control. This alarming event occurred in February 2024, but the details have only recently come to light following the release of an investigation report.

The Lufthansa Airbus A321 had departed from Frankfurt, Germany, and was en route to Seville, Spain, carrying 199 passengers and six crew members. As the flight neared its final leg—just 30 minutes away from its destination—the 43-year-old captain left the cockpit to use the restroom. According to the captain’s statement to investigators, the 38-year-old first officer (co-pilot) appeared alert and in control at that time.

However, eight minutes later, the captain returned to the cockpit only to find the door unresponsive. Despite entering the security access code, the door remained locked, prompting the captain to grow concerned. His intercom calls to the cockpit went unanswered, escalating the situation. The captain then attempted to unlock the door using the emergency access code. At that very moment, the first officer, having regained consciousness, opened the door from inside.

According to a report by Spanish aviation investigators, the co-pilot appeared disoriented, drenched in sweat, and was moving erratically when the door was opened. The captain immediately requested assistance from the cabin crew. With the help of a doctor who happened to be on board, first aid was administered to the co-pilot. Preliminary observations suggested a potential heart-related issue.

The report further stated that the co-pilot had no recollection of the duration for which he was unconscious. “I lost consciousness but cannot recall when it happened,” the first officer reportedly said. He remembered the flight passing over Zaragoza prior to the incident, and the next memory he had was the cabin crew and doctor attending to him. The report emphasized that the loss of consciousness was so sudden that he had no opportunity to alert other crew members.

The captain took immediate control of the situation and, prioritizing the safety of passengers, diverted the flight to the nearest airport in Madrid. The co-pilot was admitted to a hospital, where doctors diagnosed a serious neurological condition as the cause of the sudden blackout. Following this incident, his medical certification was suspended.

The event has reignited discussions in the aviation industry regarding pilot health and the protocols to be followed during in-flight emergencies.