Spanish investigation finds Lufthansa flight flew for 10 minutes without a conscious pilot

Spain's Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission reported recently that a flight by Germany's Lufthansa airlines last year flew for 10 minutes without a conscious pilot.

The co-pilot of the flight, which flew from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville, Spain, on Feb. 17, 2024, unexpectedly suffered a "sudden and severe incapacitation," while the pilot was temporarily out of the cockpit, Fox News reported on Monday. 

Autopilot was already activated during that 10-minute window, and the co-pilot's loss of consciousness did not impact the safety of the flight, the investigation found. There were 199 passengers and six crewmembers on board the flight at the time.

"We are aware of the report issued by the Spanish authorities," Lufthansa Airlines told the outlet. "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 pilot reportedly stepped out of the cockpit for eight minutes to use the restroom, but could not immediately get back in. A cabin-crew intercom call to the co-pilot was also unanswered. The co-pilot was found by the pilot after he got in through an emergency code, and was "pale, sweating and moving strangely."

The co-pilot's appearance and behavior, along with a consult by a crew member and on-board doctor, prompted the pilot to make an emergency landing in Madrid 20 minutes later. The co-pilot was then taken to a nearby hospital on suspicion of a heart issue.

The co-pilot was later diagnosed with a pre-existing but unknown neurological condition, and his medical certificate has since been suspended, according to CNN. 

 Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.