Fainting in the cockpit: Lufthansa flight lands emergency in Madrid!

Fainting in the cockpit: Lufthansa flight lands emergency in Madrid!

An incident on board a Lufthansa flight has raised questions about safety in the cockpit. On February 17, 2024, during a flight from Frankfurt to Seville, the co-pilot of an Airbus A321 suddenly fainted. Firstly, at this point the captain was absent as he was in the toilet. The plane flew for around ten minutes without a controlling pilot, which caused concern among passengers and the aviation authority.

Lufthansa confirmed that it had taken note of the investigation report by the Spanish accident investigation agency CIAIAC, but also conducted its own investigation, the results of which have not yet been published. The incident revealed that the co-pilot unintentionally operated controls, but these did not have a serious impact on the stability of the aircraft because the autopilot took control. Voice recorders in the cockpit also recorded strange noises, which are being investigated after the incident.

Quick response from the crew

The crew acted quickly to resolve the situation. The stewardess tried to contact the co-pilot, while the captain, after several failed attempts, finally opened the cockpit door with an emergency code. The safety precautions in the cockpit, which prevent the door from being opened by force, were effective at this moment. However, the co-pilot opened the door just before it opened automatically.

When the captain finally reached the co-pilot, he noticed that he was pale, sweating profusely and making strange movements. On the captain's recommendation, the plane landed safely in Madrid instead of continuing to Seville. There were 199 passengers and six crew members on board during the safety landing and all were uninjured.

Investigations and security issues

The co-pilot received first aid from a doctor who was on board during the flight and was subsequently taken to hospital. The report shows no evidence of any previous illnesses on the part of the 38-year-old co-pilot. Nevertheless, this incident has raised serious questions about safety precautions in cockpits, particularly the need for dual manning. Experts are calling on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to review current safety guidelines and make recommendations on the presence of a second authorized person in the cockpit when a pilot is away.

Lufthansa has not yet issued an official statement on the incident and details about the cause of the co-pilot's unwellness are not yet known. However, it is suspected that health problems may have played a role. A thorough investigation into the incident is expected to clarify the circumstances and prevent future incidents.

For more information, read the full report Süddeutsche.de or on Frankfurtflyer.de.