A Lufthansa flight encountered a significant incident last year when the co-pilot fainted while the pilot was temporarily absent from the cockpit. This occurred on February 17, 2024, during a flight from Frankfurt to Seville, and Spanish investigators released a report detailing the event on Saturday.
During the critical ten minutes without a pilot in charge, the Airbus A321 remained under stable control due to the autopilot system, despite the co-pilot unintentionally touching the controls. The investigation by the Spanish accident authority, CIAIAC, noted that the cockpit voice recorder captured unusual noises indicative of a medical emergency during this period.
Lufthansa has acknowledged the report and mentioned that an exhaustive internal investigation had been conducted. However, the airline did not share the findings of its investigation, stating that it could not provide further comments beyond the information presented in the official report.
Fortunately, the captain was trained for such emergencies and successfully accessed the cockpit using an emergency code after returning from the restroom. This incident highlights the importance of rigorous training and safety protocols in aviation, ultimately leading to the safe continuation of the flight.
The reliance on advanced technology like autopilot systems during emergencies showcases the resilience of modern aviation, as it can maintain aircraft stability even when unforeseen circumstances arise.