A Lufthansa flight travelling from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville, Spain, was briefly left without a pilot in the cockpit after a mid-air medical emergency and an ill-timed bathroom break in February 2024, investigators have revealed.
Details of the potentially catastrophic incident only recently came to light following the publication of a full report by Spanish aviation authorities.
According to the report, the incident unfolded as the aircraft prepared to cross into Spanish airspace with approximately 30 minutes of flight time remaining. The flight captain chose the moment to leave the cockpit for a short bathroom break.
However, when the captain attempted to return around eight minutes later, he was unable to gain access to the cockpit. He tried the secure entry code five times without success.
A flight attendant then used the intercom system to reach the co-pilot but received no response, raising alarm among the crew.
The 38-year-old first officer, who had shown no prior signs of illness, had lost consciousness while alone in the cockpit during the captain’s absence.
After roughly 10 minutes, the co-pilot regained consciousness and was able to unlock the cockpit door, allowing the captain to re-enter.
Crew members and a medical professional onboard described the co-pilot as “pale, sweating, and moving strangely” once the door was opened. He received immediate medical attention from those onboard.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the captain diverted the aircraft to Madrid, the nearest available airport, to ensure the co-pilot received urgent medical care.
Investigators later determined that the co-pilot’s sudden and severe incapacitation had been caused by a neurological condition known to provoke seizures.
Following the incident, the investigation team recommended that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency inform all airlines of the event. The suggestion aims to prompt a reassessment of current cockpit safety protocols, especially those concerning solo occupancy.
Despite repeated inquiries, Lufthansa has not issued a comment on the matter.
The episode underscores the potential risks involved in leaving a single pilot in control of a commercial aircraft, even for a short period, and is expected to trigger broader discussions about flight safety and crew health monitoring across the aviation industry.