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Business Standard
19-05-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Lufthansa flight flew 10 minutes without pilot after copilot fainted
A Lufthansa flight with 205 people on board flew without an active pilot for nearly 10 minutes after the copilot fainted alone in the cockpit, according to a new report by Spain's Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). The incident occurred on February 17, 2024, during a flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Spain's Seville. The captain had briefly stepped out of the cockpit to use the lavatory when the copilot suddenly lost consciousness. At the time, the Airbus A321 was carrying 199 passengers and six crew members. Although the aircraft remained stable with autopilot engaged, the report noted that the copilot unintentionally moved the controls while collapsing. Cockpit voice recordings captured sounds consistent with the copilot's 'sudden and severe incapacitation.' Copilot found unresponsive mid-flight Air traffic controllers then attempted to contact the cockpit three times but received no response. The report said the captain returned and tried to enter the cockpit using the standard access code, which rings a chime inside. After five unsuccessful attempts and no response to an intercom call, the captain used an emergency override code to unlock the door and regain control of the aircraft. The copilot was given immediate medical attention by the cabin crew and a doctor who happened to be on board as a passenger. He later regained consciousness and said he remembered being treated by the crew and the doctor. Copilot collapse linked to rare condition The captain decided to divert the flight to Madrid's Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, where he landed safely about 20 minutes later. The copilot was taken to a hospital and remained there for a few hours before being released. The CIAIAC investigation revealed that the copilot's incapacitation was caused by an undiagnosed neurological condition, which had not been detected during routine aeronautical medical exams. His medical certificate has since been suspended. Airline confirms internal safety review Lufthansa also confirmed to German news agency dpa that it was aware of the incident and had carried out its own internal investigation through its flight safety department, according to the Associated Press. However, the airline did not release its findings. The Spanish agency described the event as an 'extraordinary circumstance' and emphasised that airline captains are trained to respond to pilot incapacitation scenarios. While rare, such incidents do occur. CIAIAC cited European Commission data that recorded 287 in-flight pilot incapacitations between 2019 and 2024. In a separate 2004 report, the US Federal Aviation Administration identified 39 in-flight incapacitations among American airline pilots between 1993 and 1998.
Washington Post
19-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Airliner flew 10 minutes without pilot in medical emergency, report finds
A flight from Germany to Spain flew for up to 10 minutes without a pilot at the controls last year after the co-pilot lost consciousness, a report from Spanish aviation authorities found. The aircraft in question, a Lufthansa Airbus A321, took off from Frankfurt Airport in Germany on Feb. 17, 2024, bound for Seville, Spain, according to the report released last week by Spanish government's Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). The co-pilot had a seizure tied to an undiagnosed neurological condition just as the pilot left the cockpit to use the restroom, according to the report — leaving the aircraft without an operator for several minutes before the pilot and crew realized something was wrong. None of the flight's 199 passengers were injured. 'After the captain left the cockpit and the co-pilot suffered sudden and severe incapacitation, the aircraft continued flying for approximately 10 minutes in cruise mode with the autopilot engaged, but without additional supervision from either pilot,' the report found. The incident prompted an official investigation, with the resulting report highlighting the benefit of having another authorized person on the flight deck when one of the two pilots has to leave. Lufthansa said in a statement Monday that it is aware of the report and has conducted its own investigation while providing 'intensive and comprehensive support' to Spanish authorities. A number of unrelated incidents, including mechanical failures, pilot errors, close calls and midair crashes, have made headlines and fueled fears of flying in recent years — even though aviation experts say these types of issues are rare and flying remains a very safe method of transport. The Lufthansa pilot, who is not named in the report but is identified as 43-year-old man, left the flight deck at 10:31 a.m. to go to the bathroom, after speaking with his co-pilot about the weather and the operation of the aircraft. The pilot told investigators that the co-pilot, with whom he had flown for three days out of a four-day rotation, appeared 'fit' and 'attentive.' When the pilot returned from the bathroom at 10:39 a.m., he was unable to access the flight deck. At first he assumed he had made a mistake in entering the standard access code, but after five failed attempts, and a failed attempt to contact the flight deck through the intercom, the pilot switched to an emergency procedure using a separate access code on a timer. Before that process was complete, the co-pilot opened the door from the inside. He was 'pale, sweating, and moving strangely,' the report said, so the pilot asked for assistance from the crew and took control of the aircraft at 10:42 a.m. Crew members administered first aid, and a doctor who was a passenger on the flight helped treat the co-pilot and diagnosed him with 'a possible heart condition,' the report said. The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas Airport and landed there about 20 minutes later, the report said. The incident has shone a spotlight on the issue of pilot incapacitation — a rare but not unheard of occurrence when a pilot becomes partially or totally incapacitated and is unable to perform their duties while flying. It comes amid efforts by some aircraft manufacturers to reduce the number of pilots needed on flights — and critics, including pilots unions, often cite pilot incapacitation as an example of why they believe two people are needed in flight decks at all times. Some recall the case of a Turkish Airlines pilot who died during an October flight from Seattle to Istanbul. In that incident, there were two other pilots in the cockpit, who were able to make an emergency landing in New York. Though incidents like these are highly publicized, in-flight incapacitation as a consequence of medical problems remains rare: A report released last year by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency states that it occurs only up to 0.45 times per 10 million flight hours. The report highlighted the importance of 'periodical medical screening' of pilots to minimize 'incapacitation risk.' According to the CIAIC report, the co-pilot, who is identified as a 38-year-old man, received a medical evaluation about nine months before he lost consciousness on the flight deck, and his medical clearance was valid for another three and a half months. His condition would only have been detectable during a medical examination if he had been having symptoms during the exam, the report said, citing the aeronautical medical service of the Spanish Air Safety Agency. Once on the ground, the co-pilot was taken to a hospital for treatment, according to the report. He stated that he recalled was flying over Zaragoza in northern Spain and that he suddenly lost consciousness but didn't remember when. Authorities suspended his medical certificate to fly while the investigation was underway. CIAIAC did not immediately respond to a question from The Washington Post on Monday about whether his certificate remains suspended.
Daily Tribune
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Lufthansa Flight Operated Without Pilot for 10 Minutes After Copilot Collapsed Mid-Air
A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville operated without a pilot for nearly 10 minutes in February 2024 after the copilot fainted alone in the cockpit, according to a new report from Spain's Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). The incident occurred when the aircraft's captain temporarily left the flight deck to use the restroom, leaving the copilot in command. During this brief period, the copilot lost consciousness due to what investigators later determined was a previously undiagnosed neurological condition. The autopilot kept the Airbus A321 flying steadily, though the copilot unintentionally manipulated some controls before passing out. Attempts by air traffic control to contact the cockpit went unanswered. The captain, unable to get a response after multiple attempts using the standard access code and intercom, ultimately used an emergency override to regain entry and safely resume control of the aircraft. There were 199 passengers and six crew members onboard at the time. A doctor who was a passenger assisted in providing medical aid to the copilot, who eventually regained consciousness. The flight was diverted to Madrid, where it landed safely and the copilot was taken to a hospital for further evaluation. The copilot's medical certification has since been suspended. The CIAIAC classified the event as an 'extraordinary circumstance' and highlighted that captains are trained to handle such rare but critical scenarios.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Passenger Jet Carrying 200 Flies for 10 Minutes with No Pilot After Copilot Faints in Cockpit: Report
A Lufthansa plane flew without a pilot for 10 minutes with over 200 people on board after the copilot fainted while alone in the cockpit, a report has stated The incident occurred while the Airbus A321 aircraft was traveling from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville, Spain, on Feb. 17, 2024 The report from Spain's Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) stated the aircraft "landed without incident," with the pilot diverting to Madrid, where the copilot received medical attentionA Lufthansa plane flew without a pilot for 10 minutes after the copilot suffered a medical issue while alone in the cockpit, a report has stated. The incident occurred on Feb. 17, 2024, while the Airbus A321 aircraft was traveling from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville in Spain, per the translated report from Spain's Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). The report stated six crew members and 199 passengers were on board at the time. According to the Associated Press, the copilot fainted after the pilot got up to use the bathroom, citing German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa). Per the report, the copilot "suffered a sudden and severe incapacitation" while "alone on the flight deck," however, the aircraft "landed without incident" and the copilot was taken to the hospital upon landing. "The aircraft continued flying for approximately 10 minutes, in the cruise phase with the autopilot engaged, but without additional supervision from either pilot," the translated report stated. "The captain decided to land at the nearest airport given the emergency situation. This allowed the copilot to receive medical attention as quickly as possible," the report added. The AP stated the pilot made an "unplanned landing" in Madrid, with the report listing the Spanish city as the incident location. "The copilot's sudden and severe incapacitation was a symptom of an illness that was not detected either by the pilot or during the aeronautical medical examination," the translated report stated. It also noted, "The incident has highlighted the benefit of having another authorized person in the flight deck when one of the two pilots leaves for physiological or operational reasons. It has been deemed appropriate to issue an operational safety recommendation to [European Union Aviation Safety Agency] EASA in this regard." The report also claimed that "moments before" the medical issue, "Both pilots had a conversation about the weather situation and the operation of the aircraft, with the captain not noticing anything unusual in the copilot's behavior." The findings stated that "the autopilot and thrust system remained engaged, maintaining the flight path" during the incident. The report added, "During his incapacitation, the copilot inadvertently activated switches and acted on the flight controls." Per CNN, the pilot attempted to open the door "with a regular opening code, which chimes the cockpit" five times, while a cockpit crew member also "placed an intercom call to the flight deck." Sounds consistent with the medical findings were discovered on the voice recorder following the copilot's 'sudden and severe incapacitation,' per the outlet. An air-traffic controller also reportedly tried to reach the copilot up to three times, but didn't receive a response, the outlet stated. The pilot eventually managed to gain access to the flight deck using an "emergency access code," the report claimed. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Lufthansa said its flight safety department had also conducted an investigation into the incident, the AP reported, citing dpa, but the company didn't disclose the results. The airline said it was aware of CIAIAC's report, the news agency stated. Lufthansa didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Read the original article on People
Saudi Gazette
18-05-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Lufthansa flight flew 10 minutes without pilot after co-pilot fainted, report reveals
BERLIN — A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville flew for approximately 10 minutes without a pilot in command after the co-pilot fainted alone in the cockpit, according to a Spanish aviation report released this week. The incident occurred on February 17, 2024, aboard an Airbus A321 carrying 199 passengers and six crew members, Germany's dpa news agency reported, citing findings by Spain's Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). The captain had left the cockpit for a restroom break when the co-pilot suffered an apparent medical emergency and lost consciousness. During that time, the aircraft continued flying steadily on autopilot, although cockpit voice recordings captured irregular noises consistent with a health incident. Repeated attempts by the captain to re-enter the cockpit using standard and emergency door codes initially failed. A flight attendant also attempted to make contact with the co-pilot via the intercom. Just before the emergency code would have automatically opened the cockpit door, the co-pilot managed to unlock it captain then diverted the flight and made an unscheduled landing in Madrid, where the co-pilot was taken to a confirmed awareness of the report and said its internal safety team had also investigated the event but did not release its findings.
