Lufthansa Pilot Becomes Incapacitated Alone In Cockpit, Pushes Controls
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A routine Lufthansa flight turned into a near-miss incident after a pilot collapsed alone in the cockpit—unintentionally activating switches and flight controls.
A Lufthansa Airbus A321 flying from Frankfurt (FRA) to Seville (SVQ) had to divert to Madrid (MAD) after the first officer suddenly became incapacitated while alone in the flight deck. Spain’s Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) has now released its report, revealing some startling new details.
Flight Details:
Aircraft: Airbus A321-200
Registration: D-AISO
Flight Number: LH-1140
Crew: 6
Passengers: 199
What Happened Onboard Lufthansa Flight LH1140
The incident took place on February 17, 2024, but has only now come to light with the release of the official investigation.
Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:
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The captain left the flight deck mid-cruise for a bathroom break.
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While alone, the first officer suddenly collapsed due to a previously undetected medical issue.
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In his incapacitated state, he inadvertently activated controls and switches.
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Fortunately, the autopilot remained engaged, keeping the aircraft on course for approximately 10 minutes.
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The captain used the emergency cockpit access code to try and re-enter.
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Before the timer on the code expired, the first officer managed to open the door manually, suggesting partial recovery.
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The captain, recognizing the emergency, diverted the aircraft to Madrid.
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After 5.5 hours on the ground, the flight later continued to Seville.
The report notes that the first officer’s medical episode was unexpected and related to a previously unknown health condition.
Why This Raises Red Flags About Cockpit Rules
Although this situation ended safely, it raises renewed questions about single-occupant cockpit protocols—especially in Europe.
The two-person cockpit rule, introduced in many countries after the 2015 Germanwings crash, mandates that two crew members must be present in the cockpit at all times. However, this is not a universal requirement, and Lufthansa, like many other European carriers, had reportedly relaxed the rule in recent years.
In the United States, regulations still require two people in the cockpit if one pilot leaves, with a flight attendant temporarily stepping in. That rule was adopted specifically to prevent deliberate acts or unattended medical emergencies like this one.
With known incidents like:
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Germanwings 9525 (intentional crash)
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Malaysia Airlines 370
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SilkAir 185
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EgyptAir 990
…the industry’s approach to cockpit security remains under scrutiny.
Bottom Line
A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville was forced to divert to Madrid after the first officer collapsed while alone in the cockpit, unknowingly activating flight controls. Thanks to the autopilot and the captain’s quick action, the situation remained under control.
But this incident is a stark reminder that critical medical emergencies can happen in silence, and reinforces the case for keeping two people in the flight deck at all times—especially during cruise.
In this case, luck and automation carried the day. But will it always?
