A Lufthansa flight carrying 205 people was left without an active pilot for 10 tense minutes after the copilot fainted while alone in the cockpit, according to a recent report from Spain’s air accident investigation agency, CIAIAC.

The incident occurred on February 17, 2024, during a flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville, Spain. The captain had stepped out of the cockpit for a bathroom break, leaving the copilot alone at the controls. That’s when the copilot suddenly lost consciousness.

Despite the alarming situation, the Airbus A321 remained in stable flight thanks to autopilot. However, investigators noted that the unconscious copilot unintentionally interacted with the controls during this time. Audio recordings confirmed sounds consistent with what they called a “sudden and severe incapacitation.”

Air traffic controllers attempted to contact the cockpit multiple times but received no response. The captain returned and initially tried to re-enter using the standard door code, which alerts those inside with a chime. After five unsuccessful attempts and an unanswered intercom call, the captain used an emergency override code to regain access to the flight deck and took over the controls.

According to the report, the copilot received immediate first aid from the crew and a doctor who happened to be onboard. He eventually regained consciousness and later recalled receiving treatment.

The captain diverted the flight to Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, landing safely about 20 minutes later. The copilot was taken to a hospital, where he stayed for several hours.

Investigators later discovered that the copilot’s fainting episode was caused by an undiagnosed neurological condition. This condition had not been detected during his routine medical evaluations. As a result, his medical certification has been suspended.

Lufthansa acknowledged the findings and confirmed that its own safety team had conducted a separate investigation, though the results were not publicly shared, according to German news agency dpa and the Associated Press.

The Spanish aviation authority classified the incident as an “extraordinary circumstance,” but emphasized that airline captains are trained to handle situations involving pilot incapacitation.

While rare, such incidents do happen. CIAIAC pointed to 287 reported cases of pilot incapacitation across European commercial flights between 2019 and 2024. For comparison, a 2004 FAA report documented 39 such cases involving U.S. airline pilots over a six-year span from 1993 to 1998.

Source: CNN – Lufthansa flight flew without a pilot for 10 minutes after copilot fainted, report finds

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An American Airlines flight (AA292) from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport on Sunday due to a security concern that was later deemed non-credible. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers were cleared after security inspections.

Unscheduled Landing in Rome

According to American Airlines, the flight was rerouted as a precautionary measure. Upon landing, law enforcement inspected the aircraft, ensuring safety before it was cleared to continue to its destination.

“The flight will remain in Rome overnight for required crew rest before departing for New Delhi as soon as possible tomorrow,” the airline stated.

The reason for the security concern was not disclosed, but the inspection was conducted as part of standard safety procedures.

Fighter Jets Escort Plane to Rome

An Associated Press reporter captured footage of two fighter jets escorting the flight as it approached Rome, indicating heightened security. Fire trucks were also stationed along the runway upon landing.

One of the passengers, Neeraj Chopra, said that about three hours before the scheduled arrival in New Delhi, the captain announced a change in security status requiring them to divert.

“At first, everyone remained calm, but when the captain later mentioned fighter jets escorting us, I started feeling anxious,” Chopra told the AP.

Another passenger, Jonathan Bacon, 22, from Dayton, Ohio, closely monitored the flight tracker and noticed the aircraft making a sharp turn away from New Delhi before heading back toward Rome.

Security Screenings After Landing

After landing, passengers were taken by bus to the terminal, where they and their belongings underwent additional security checks.

Bacon described the process as “slightly heightened,” with delays in retrieving checked baggage due to extra screenings.

“It was definitely the longest flight to Europe I’ve ever taken,” Bacon remarked.

Despite the disruption, Rome’s airport continued operating normally, according to an airport spokesperson.

Next Steps

With the aircraft and crew scheduled for rest, American Airlines plans to resume the journey to New Delhi on Monday. The incident underscores the airline’s commitment to passenger safety, ensuring all necessary protocols were followed before allowing the flight to continue.

Source

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