Overview

• A Lufthansa Airbus A321, en route from Frankfurt to Seville on February 17, 2024, flew for 10 minutes without a conscious pilot after the co-pilot fainted alone in the cockpit.
• The co-pilot's incapacitation was caused by an undiagnosed neurological condition not detected during routine medical exams, leading to the suspension of his medical certificate.
• The captain, unable to access the cockpit using standard procedures, regained entry through an emergency code and diverted the flight to Madrid, where it landed safely.
• The incident, classified as an 'extraordinary circumstance' by Spanish authorities, has highlighted the importance of cockpit access protocols and the role of autopilot in maintaining stability during emergencies.
• The European Union is now reviewing pilot health screening processes and cockpit staffing requirements to address risks of in-flight pilot incapacitation.