A recent investigation by the Spanish accident investigation authority CIAIAC revealed that a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville in February 2024 briefly went without a pilot for 10 minutes. The incident occurred when the co-pilot fainted while alone in the cockpit, leaving the captain in the restroom.
The aircraft, carrying 205 people on board, continued flying with active autopilot systems, which ensured its stable operation. However, strange noises were recorded by the voice recorder during this time, indicating an acute health emergency.
After multiple attempts to contact the co-pilot using onboard communication systems, the captain entered an emergency code to open the cockpit door. The co-pilot unexpectedly opened the door from inside despite being ill, allowing the pilot to make an unplanned landing in Madrid.
Upon arrival, the co-pilot was taken to a hospital for medical attention. Lufthansa confirmed that it had been aware of the investigation report but did not disclose its own findings.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/lufthansa-flight-no-pilot-fainted-germany-spain-ab5b4433a1b4d2fa0d6729f8847c2ba2