### Lufthansa Flight Experiences 10-Minute Pilot Absence After Copilot Faints

A Lufthansa flight traveling from Frankfurt to Seville experienced an alarming incident last year when the aircraft was left without a pilot for 10 minutes. The event, which involved 199 passengers and six crew members on board, occurred on February 17, 2024, according to a newly-released report from Spain's accident investigation authority, CIAIAC.

The situation unfolded when the captain temporarily left the cockpit to use the lavatory. While alone in the cockpit, the copilot unexpectedly fainted due to a pre-existing, undiagnosed neurological condition, the report detailed. During this critical period, the Airbus A321 remained in stable flight, primarily due to the autopilot system being engaged. However, the report noted that the copilot incidentally operated the controls during his incapacitation.

Efforts by an air-traffic controller to communicate with the copilot went unanswered, prompting concerns. Realizing something was amiss, the captain attempted to re-enter the cockpit using a regular opening code, which activates a chime. After five unsuccessful tries and a failed intercom call by another crew member, the captain ultimately resorted to an emergency code to unlock the door and regain command of the aircraft.

Lufthansa, contacted for comment, acknowledged awareness of the incident and noted that their own flight safety department had conducted a parallel investigation. However, the company has not released the results from this internal probe, according to the Associated Press.

Once the captain regained control, immediate first aid was administered to the copilot by the crew and a doctor who happened to be a passenger. The copilot subsequently regained consciousness and was able to recall being treated. The flight was then diverted to Madrid's Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport, where it landed safely about 20 minutes later. The copilot was transported to a hospital and discharged after a few hours.

The Spanish authority concluded that the copilot’s sudden incapacitation underscored an "extraordinary circumstance." Medical checks had not detected his underlying condition during routine examinations. Consequently, his medical certification has been suspended.

In-flight incapacitation, while rare, is not unheard of; the CIAIAC referred to 287 pilot incapacitations across Europe from 2019 to 2024. Similarly, a 2004 report by the US Federal Aviation Administration documented 39 cases involving American pilots over a six-year span from 1993 to 1998. This incident further highlights the importance of training captains to manage such unexpected situations.