In a case that has raised serious questions about cockpit safety protocols, a Lufthansa Airbus A321 flying from Frankfurt to Seville in February 2024 continued on autopilot for approximately 10 minutes after the co-pilot lost consciousness while alone in the cockpit. The captain had left temporarily for a restroom break when the incident occurred.
The Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) launched a formal inquiry after the aircraft, carrying 200 passengers, was found to be flying effectively “pilotless” during the critical time. Although no passengers were injured and the aircraft remained on autopilot, the situation drew comparisons to past aviation tragedies and reignited debate about cockpit staffing rules.
The Incident Unfolds
According to the CIAIAC report released in April 2025, the incident began when the co-pilot—alone in the cockpit—suffered a seizure or loss of consciousness. The flight data and cockpit voice recorder revealed that the co-pilot’s body made uncontrolled movements, which were audible for several minutes.
Upon returning, the captain attempted to re-enter the cockpit using the standard access code, which triggers a buzzer for the co-pilot to unlock the door. After multiple unsuccessful attempts and no response from the co-pilot, the captain initiated the emergency access procedure. Just before the emergency override would have unlocked the door automatically, the co-pilot regained partial consciousness and manually opened the door, allowing the captain to regain control of the aircraft.
A doctor on board provided first aid, suspecting a heart or neurological episode. The captain declared an emergency and diverted the flight to Madrid-Barajas Airport, where the co-pilot was hospitalized. Later medical evaluations revealed the incident was caused by an undiagnosed neurological disorder.
A History of Warning Signs
This incident is not the first to highlight the dangers of a single pilot left alone in the cockpit. The 2015 Germanwings Flight 9525 disaster—which saw a co-pilot deliberately crash an Airbus A320 into the French Alps after locking out the captain—led several countries, including Germany and the U.S., to temporarily adopt the “two-person rule,” requiring two qualified crew members in the cockpit at all times.
However, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted the mandatory two-person requirement in 2016, opting instead for a risk-based approach where individual airlines determine their own cockpit policies. Lufthansa, like many European carriers, had returned to the one-pilot cockpit rule by 2024.
In the wake of this recent Lufthansa incident, CIAIAC has formally recommended that EASA and European carriers reassess the risk of single-occupancy cockpits, especially on long-haul or high-capacity flights.
Broader Implications for Aviation
Millisecond reactions can matter at cruising altitude. Autopilot systems are robust and designed to handle most phases of flight without pilot input, but emergencies—medical or mechanical—require human oversight.
The Lufthansa aircraft in question remained stable thanks to its autopilot, but had the episode occurred during a critical systems failure, the outcome could have been more serious.
CIAIAC has suggested that the medical standards for pilots may also need review. The co-pilot had passed all required health checks and had no history of neurological issues, highlighting the limitations of current screening protocols. Investigators emphasized that some conditions are “undetectable unless symptomatic at the time of examination.”
Industry Response
Aviation analysts expect airlines and regulators to revisit not only cockpit staffing policies but also medical evaluation systems for crew. Enhanced biometric monitoring or smart cockpit alert systems could be on the horizon, providing real-time detection of unconsciousness or distress.
For Lufthansa, this is a reminder of the delicate balance between efficiency and safety. The airline has not publicly stated whether it will revise its cockpit access policy.
Meanwhile, industry watchdogs and unions have called for greater transparency and a re-examination of practices that may prioritize cost-saving over risk prevention. “This incident shows how a near-miss can happen under the radar,” said a European pilots’ union spokesperson.
Conclusion
In a time when automation and pilot reductions are being discussed in commercial aviation, the Lufthansa incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical role of humans in the cockpit. It may also mark a turning point in how regulators, airlines, and passengers perceive the risks of solo cockpit occupancy—even for a few minutes.
