Lufthansa Flight’s 10-Minute Pilotless Scare: Co-Pilot’s Collapse Prompts Madrid Diversion

In a chilling incident that sounds like a Hollywood thriller, a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville soared through the skies for over ten minutes with an unconscious co-pilot at the helm, as revealed by a Spanish investigation. On February 17, 2024, an Airbus A321 carrying 199 passengers and six crew members was cruising on autopilot when the co-pilot suffered a sudden, severe incapacitation, leaving the cockpit unattended while the captain was briefly away for a restroom break.

The autopilot, thankfully, kept the plane steady, but the situation took a dramatic turn when the captain returned to a locked cockpit door. Standard entry procedures failed, and a cabin-crew intercom call went unanswered, raising the stakes in this mid-air drama. Just as the crew resorted to an emergency access code, the ailing co-pilot miraculously managed to open the door manually, revealing a scene of pale, sweating distress.

The captain swiftly took control, and with the help of an onboard doctor, the crew provided first aid, suspecting a heart condition. The plane was diverted to Madrid, landing safely just 20 minutes later, where the co-pilot was rushed to a hospital. A previously undetected neurological condition was later diagnosed, shedding light on the terrifying episode.

Lufthansa has cooperated fully with the Spanish authorities and conducted its own internal investigation, emphasizing its commitment to flight safety. This incident raises critical questions about cockpit protocols and the unpredictability of human health at 30,000 feet.