Lufthansa Airbus A321 Flies Alone After Co-Pilot Collapse

A Lufthansa Airbus A321 on a flight from Frankfurt to Seville had a dramatic experience when the co-pilot collapsed mid-flight, leaving the plane without a conscious pilot for 10 minutes. The autopilot maintained the plane’s stability while the captain regained access to the cockpit.

Lufthansa Airbus A321 Flies Alone:

On 17th February 2024, the Lufthansa flight was flying 199 passengers and six crew members when the captain left the cockpit to visit the restroom. The co-pilot then experienced a medical emergency, losing consciousness when he was left alone in command.

Autopilot Takes Over
Without any pilot actually piloting the plane, the autopilot system held the flight steady, averting a possible catastrophe. The cockpit voice recorder picked up unusual sounds, which reflected the co-pilot’s panic.

Captain Locked Out of Cockpit
The captain, upon returning, tried to return to the cockpit with the usual security code five times but got no response. A flight attendant attempted to reach the co-pilot over the onboard telephone, but there was no response.

Emergency Access and Safe Landing
The captain subsequently employed an emergency override code, which would have automatically unlocked the door of the cockpit. But before the timer ran out, the co-pilot regained partial consciousness and manually opened the door. The captain took over control and diverted the flight to Madrid, where the co-pilot was hospitalized immediately.

Medical Findings and Investigation
Physicians subsequently diagnosed the co-pilot with a neurological disorder that had resulted in the sudden seizure. The Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) opened an investigation into the accident, emphasizing the significance of monitoring the health of pilots.
This accident highlights the importance of autopilot functions in ensuring aircraft safety and having two pilots on board at all times. Although the aircraft touched down safely, the incident has raised issues regarding pilot health checks and cockpit entry procedures.

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