A commercial flight from Switzerland to France narrowly avoided disaster after the captain lost consciousness during landing, according to a newly released investigation report.
The incident occurred on August 11, 2018, aboard an Airbus A320 carrying 166 passengers. The captain reportedly began feeling unwell as the aircraft approached its destination in Nice, France. After informing the co-pilot that an immediate landing was necessary, the captain suddenly fainted.
Investigators say the captain’s body unintentionally applied pressure to the controls, causing the aircraft to veer slightly off course. The plane briefly banked 10 degrees to the right and then 8 degrees to the left before the co-pilot quickly corrected its path and took full control.
Despite the disruption, the co-pilot continued the approach, though the aircraft remained slightly below its ideal glide path. The captain regained consciousness at approximately 200 feet above the ground.
The co-pilot successfully landed the aircraft and later declared a “Pan Pan” medical emergency—an urgent situation that is not immediately life-threatening—requesting to stop the plane shortly after exiting the runway. The captain was reported to have vomited repeatedly after landing.
Medical evaluations later confirmed that the captain had been suffering from food poisoning. No passengers or crew were injured, and the aircraft sustained no damage.
Authorities praised the co-pilot’s quick response and professionalism, which ensured the safety of everyone on board.
