A Lufthansa aircraft remained airborne for a duration of ten minutes without human pilot intervention.
A Close Call in the Skies: Lufthansa Flight Almost Flies Without a Pilot
In an alarming incident that took place in February 2024, a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville found itself in a precarious situation. The captain stepped out for a bathroom break, and the co-pilot suffered a medical emergency, causing them to briefly lose control of the flight.
The drama unfolded when the Airbus A321, already over Spain after takeoff from Frankfurt, was left without a pilot for about ten minutes due to this unexpected chain of events. According to the Spanish Aviation Accident Investigation Board (CIAIAC), the plane's autopilot system steered the plane during this period.
At 10:31 AM, the captain departed the cockpit for a toilet break. The co-pilot, who seemed fit and attentive at that time, according to the captain's statement, suddenly fell ill just 36 seconds later. Strange noises filled the cockpit, indicating a possible seizure.
A Series of Failed Attempts to Re-Enter the Cockpit
The co-pilot's episode led him to inadvertently activate several switches, triggering an alarm. Despite the autopilot and auto-thrust systems staying active, the plane was left without human control. After eight minutes, the captain tried to re-enter the cockpit, only to find the door locked.
He entered the correct code five times, but the door remained shut. A flight attendant then attempted to contact the cockpit via interphone, to no avail. Finally, the captain entered the emergency code into the security door system, preparing for the door to unlock automatically. Just as it was about to, the co-pilot regained consciousness and opened the door manually. The crew quickly realized that the co-pilot was not well, as they found him sweating heavily and moving uncontrollably. Consequently, the captain decided to divert the plane to Madrid for an emergency landing.
Investigations later revealed that the co-pilot had suffered a seizure-like episode due to a neurological disease that went undetected during routine medical examinations. The crew's swift response to the crisis was praised by the CIAIAC as both professional and effective.
Calls for Stricter Cockpit Crew Policies
In the aftermath of this incident, the report's authors are urging the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to reconsider the current rule regarding the minimum number of crew members in the cockpit. They propose enforcing a rule that requires at least two crew members to be present at all times.
The EASA had previously made a similar recommendation following the 2015 Germanwings aircraft crash in the French Alps. However, this recommendation was revised in 2016, allowing airlines to assess their own risk situations and adjust their procedures accordingly.
It's crucial to note that, as of the latest accessible regulatory updates, the EASA has not published new or changed crew complement rules for the cockpit directly linked to the Lufthansa incident in February 2024. However, general regulatory and safety culture updates have been introduced in 2025, with a focus on aligning rules with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) amendments, simplifying regulations, and promoting operational safety across Europe.
In summary, while EASA has introduced general regulatory and safety culture updates, there are no publicly disclosed changes in formal cockpit crew complement rules specifically triggered by the Lufthansa incident in February 2024. The agency continues to emphasize communication, fitness for duty, and human risk management, all of which indirectly affect cockpit crew operations and safety.
The call for stricter community policies in air transport, particularly concerning cockpit crew, has been renewed following the Lufthansa flight incident in February 2024. Proponents argue that enforcing a rule requiring at least two crew members in the cockpit at all times would enhance safety, echoing earlier recommendations made by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) after the 2015 Germanwings crash. However, as of the latest regulatory updates, EASA has yet to publish new or changed cockpit crew rules directly linked to the Lufthansa incident, instead focusing on broader regulatory and safety culture updates, technology advancements, and operational safety across Europe.
