A potentially catastrophic incident occurred aboard a Lufthansa flight in February 2024, when the co-pilot of an Airbus A321 aircraft suddenly fell unconscious mid-flight precisely at a time when the captain had left the cockpit for a short restroom break. The incident, though months old, has only recently come to light following the release of an official investigation report.
The Lufthansa flight was en route from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville, Spain, carrying 199 passengers and 6 crew members. Everything appeared routine until the unthinkable happened approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled landing.
Captain’s Account: “He Was Fine When I Left”
According to the 43-year-old captain’s testimony to investigators, he left the cockpit to use the restroom when the aircraft was cruising steadily. He stated that the 38-year-old co-pilot appeared alert and in full control at the time. Believing it was a safe moment, he stepped out briefly, only to return around eight minutes later and discover he could not re-enter the cockpit even after inputting the security code.
Concerned, the captain used the intercom to communicate, but received no response from inside the cockpit. Realizing something was seriously wrong, he initiated an emergency door override to regain access. Just then, the co-pilot who had apparently regained consciousness opened the door from inside.
“He Was Pale, Sweating, and Staggering”
Upon re-entering the cockpit, the captain found his colleague in a deeply unsettling state. “His face was pale, he was sweating, and he was walking in a strange, unsteady way,” the captain recalled. He immediately called for assistance from the cabin crew.
A doctor, who happened to be among the passengers, administered first aid to the co-pilot and suspected a possible cardiac or neurological episode. The flight crew worked swiftly to ensure safety, with the captain assuming full command of the aircraft.
Emergency Diversion to Madrid
Given the seriousness of the situation, the captain made the critical decision to divert the flight to the nearest airport, which was Madrid. The aircraft landed safely, and the co-pilot was rushed to a local hospital for evaluation.
Doctors later confirmed that the co-pilot had experienced a sudden neurological episode, which led to his brief but severe unconsciousness. As a result, his medical flying license has been suspended pending further investigation and health assessments.
Co-Pilot Had No Memory of the Incident
The investigation report also includes statements from the co-pilot, who expressed complete confusion about the episode. “I don’t remember losing consciousness,” he told officials. “I recall flying over Zaragoza and then waking up while the cabin crew and a doctor were attending to me.”
According to the report, the loss of consciousness was so abrupt that he didn’t have time to alert anyone or take safety precautions. The event highlighted a rare but serious risk in aviation, particularly when it involves key personnel incapacitation during flight.
A Close Call That Could Have Been Tragic
Fortunately, due to the swift action taken by the captain and the availability of medical personnel on board, the situation was brought under control without harm to passengers or further crew. Aviation experts say that the incident underscores the importance of dual-pilot systems, strict cockpit protocols, and medical fitness monitoring for flight crew.
Though such events are rare, they serve as reminders of the unpredictability of human health and the critical importance of emergency preparedness in commercial aviation. The Lufthansa airline and German aviation authorities have yet to comment publicly on the incident, though internal reviews are ongoing. The co-pilot will remain grounded until cleared by medical experts and aviation regulators.
