Flight carrying 200 people without pilot for 10 minutes

A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville, Spain, on February 17, 2024, flew for 10 minutes without any pilots in the cockpit, according to a new report from Spain's accident investigation agency (CIAIAC).

There were a total of 199 passengers and six crew members on board the Airbus A321 at the time, according to CNN.

Lufthansa speaks out about pilotless plane incident

PHOTO: REUTERS

The plane continued to fly steadily with the autopilot engaged, but the first officer accidentally pressed the controls. The report also added that sounds consistent with the co-pilot's "sudden and severe incapacitation" were recorded on the voice recorder during this time.

An air traffic controller tried to contact the co-pilot three times but received no response.

The report said the captain returned from the lavatory and attempted to open the cockpit door using the regular access code, which would ring in the cockpit. The captain tried five times, and a crew member also called the cockpit intercom. When there was no response, the captain used the emergency code to enter and take control of the plane.

The co-pilot was given first aid by the crew and a doctor, who was traveling as a passenger, and regained consciousness.

The captain decided to divert the flight to Madrid's Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, landing about 20 minutes later. Upon arrival in Madrid, the co-pilot was taken to hospital.

Lufthansa told CNN it was aware of the investigative report and was cooperating with Spanish authorities but could not comment further.

An investigation was conducted and it was determined that the co-pilot's unconsciousness was a symptom of a pre-existing neurological condition that he was unaware he had and that had not been detected during his aviation medical examination.

Therefore, the co-pilot's medical certificate has been suspended and is no longer valid.

Spanish authorities have described the incident as "unusual circumstances" and said captains are trained to deal with situations where another pilot loses control.

Although rare, loss of control during flight - including sudden pilot death - does occur.

The transport incident reporting database maintained by the European Commission revealed that there were 287 cases of pilots losing control of their aircraft during the period 2019-2024.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/su-co-chuyen-bay-cho-200-nguoi-ma-khong-co-phi-cong-suot-10-phut-185250520082233649.htm