Airplane Flies for 10 Minutes with No Pilot and Over 200 on Board: Report

A Lufthansa aircraft flew with no pilot for 10 minutes after the copilot suffered a medical situation whereas alone within the cockpit, a report has said.

The incident occurred on Feb. 17, 2024, whereas the Airbus A321 plane was touring from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville in Spain, per the translated report from Spain’s Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Fee (CIAIAC).

The report said six crew members and 199 passengers had been on board on the time.

In response to the Associated Press, the copilot fainted after the pilot bought up to make use of the lavatory, citing German information company Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

Per the report, the copilot “suffered a sudden and extreme incapacitation” whereas “alone on the flight deck,” nevertheless, the plane “landed with out incident” and the copilot was taken to the hospital upon touchdown.

“The plane continued flying for roughly 10 minutes, within the cruise section with the autopilot engaged, however with out further supervision from both pilot,” the translated report said.

“The captain determined to land on the nearest airport given the emergency scenario. This allowed the copilot to obtain medical consideration as rapidly as attainable,” the report added.

The AP said the pilot made an “unplanned touchdown” in Madrid, with the report itemizing the Spanish metropolis because the incident location.

“The copilot’s sudden and extreme incapacitation was a symptom of an sickness that was not detected both by the pilot or through the aeronautical medical examination,” the translated report said.

It additionally famous, “The incident has highlighted the advantage of having one other licensed individual within the flight deck when one of many two pilots leaves for physiological or operational causes. It has been deemed acceptable to situation an operational security advice to [European Union Aviation Safety Agency] EASA on this regard.”

The report additionally claimed that “moments earlier than” the medical situation, “Each pilots had a dialog in regards to the climate scenario and the operation of the plane, with the captain not noticing something uncommon within the copilot’s habits.”

The findings said that “the autopilot and thrust system remained engaged, sustaining the flight path” through the incident.

The report added, “Throughout his incapacitation, the copilot inadvertently activated switches and acted on the flight controls.”

Per CNN, the pilot tried to open the door “with an everyday opening code, which chimes the cockpit” 5 instances, whereas a cockpit crew member additionally “positioned an intercom name to the flight deck.” Sounds according to the medical findings had been found on the voice recorder following the copilot’s “sudden and extreme incapacitation,” per the outlet.

An air-traffic controller additionally reportedly tried to succeed in the copilot as much as thrice, however did not obtain a response, the outlet said.

The pilot ultimately managed to realize entry to the flight deck utilizing an “emergency entry code,” the report claimed.

By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to remain up-to-date on the most effective of what PEOPLE has to supply​​, from movie star information to forcing human curiosity tales.

Lufthansa stated its flight security division had additionally performed an investigation into the incident, the AP reported, citing dpa, however the firm did not disclose the outcomes. The airline stated it was conscious of CIAIAC’s report, the information company said.

Lufthansa did not instantly reply when contacted by PEOPLE for added data.