An Airbus A321 operated by German airline Lufthansa relied entirely on its autopilot system when the first officer lost consciousness while alone in the cockpit. The event unfolded on February 17, 2024, during a flight from Frankfurt to Seville, Spain, carrying 199 passengers and six crew members. The sophisticated autopilot system maintained stable flight for approximately ten minutes, preventing what could have become a catastrophic situation.

The captain, who had momentarily left the flight deck for “physiological reasons,” found himself locked out of the cockpit. Emergency protocols prevented automatic entry, creating tense moments until the first officer regained consciousness and allowed the captain to re-enter the flight deck.

The Airbus A321’s advanced autopilot system demonstrated its critical importance during the emergency, maintaining the aircraft’s altitude, speed, and heading without human intervention. Spanish authorities investigating the incident noted that Lufthansa had recently removed a policy requiring a second crew member to enter the cockpit whenever one pilot leaves.

This protocol, implemented by many airlines after the 2015 Germanwings tragedy, aims to ensure that no pilot is ever alone at the controls. The report explicitly urges airlines to reconsider such policy changes, suggesting that having a flight attendant temporarily occupy the vacant seat might prevent similar situations. After the first officer regained consciousness, the flight diverted to Madrid instead of continuing to Seville.

A doctor among the passengers provided immediate medical attention before the aircraft landed. At Madrid’s airport, emergency medical personnel transported the first officer to a hospital for comprehensive evaluation. Subsequent medical examination revealed the copilot suffered from a previously undetected neurological condition that triggered the episode.

In an official statement to USA Today, Lufthansa confirmed awareness of the Spanish authorities’ report: “Lufthansa has provided intensive and comprehensive support to the authorities in their work. In addition, Lufthansa’s flight safety department has conducted its own extensive investigation.” The airline declined to provide further comment about the incident, citing ongoing reviews.