Emergency in the cockpit: co-pilot unconscious, plane flying alone!

Emergency in the cockpit: co-pilot unconscious, plane flying alone!

An alarming incident occurred on May 17, 2025, when a Lufthansa aircraft encountered critical circumstances on a flight from Frankfurt to Seville in February 2024. According to Kleine Zeitung, the co-pilot was unconscious during the flight and unintentionally operated controls, which created a serious safety situation.

The captain, who had left the cockpit for a toilet break at the time, was only absent for a short time when the co-pilot collapsed 36 seconds after leaving. However, thanks to the active autopilot, the plane was able to continue flying stably and ultimately land safely in Madrid, where 199 passengers and six crew members were on board, reports [n-tv](https://www.n-tv.de/panorama/Lufthansa-Machine-fly-zwei- Minuten-ohne-Pilot-article25774868.html).

Crew response and emergency procedures

The response to the incident was described by the relevant authority, CIAIAC, as professional and effective. While the co-pilot, who was showing signs of a medical emergency - he was pale, sweating profusely and making strange movements - struggled for help, the captain tried several times to use a code to open the security door to the cockpit. After five unsuccessful attempts, he finally entered an emergency code that unlocked the door. The co-pilot managed to open the door manually just before it opened automatically.

It is important to note that the co-pilot had suffered a seizure, which resulted in unintentional switch activations. A doctor traveling with him provided first aid en route and the co-pilot was taken to hospital after landing safely. Investigations showed that it was an epilepsy-like seizure, but there was no evidence that the 38-year-old co-pilot had any previous illnesses.

Safety concerns and recommendations

The incident raises important safety questions about the double occupancy of the cockpit. Due to these events, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is being asked to reconsider the existing safety guidelines. The report recommends that a second authorized person should always be present in the cockpit when a pilot leaves the cockpit. EASA had already made a similar recommendation after the Germanwings crash in 2015, which was revised in 2016.

EASA's current considerations take into account the operational experience since the introduction of the "2 people in the cockpit" recommendation and pursue a flexible, risk-based approach. Operators are required to carry out a risk analysis to assess the need for staffing arrangements, as EASA explains.

The incident highlights the need to further strengthen aviation safety and adapt existing policies to ensure the welfare of passengers and crew.