A statement by German prosecutors has revealed that Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot accused of deliberately crashing a Germanwings jet into the French Alps last week, had received treatment for suicidal tendencies before receiving his pilots’ licence.
The crash has already sparked debate about cabin safety protocols in commercial aircraft, and it is likely this news will start further discussion about screening and monitoring processes for pilots.
“Several years ago before obtaining his pilot’s licence the co-pilot was in a long period of psychotherapeutic treatment with noticeable suicidal tendencies,” prosecutors in Dusseldorf said in a statement.
Fairfax report that in 2009, around the time of this treatment, Lubitz broke off his pilot training for a year, before eventually resuming.
Prosecutors noted, however, that in recent years, Lubitz had “not shown any signs of suicidal behaviour or aggressive tendencies” during visits to doctors, and that their investigation has uncovered no evidence of a planned attack.
“No special circumstances have come to light, whether in his personal life or his work life, that shed any plausible light on a possible motive,” the statement continued.
Under German law, if a person is deemed unfit to work, they are required by law to inform their employer immediately. As previously reported, a medical certificate, saying Lubitz was unfit to work on the day of the crash, was discovered at his home.
Doctors in Germany are forbidden from informing patients’ employers of any medical conditions, and Lufthansa, the parent company of budget carrier Germanwings, have said that they had no knowledge of the contents of Lubitz’s medical records.
It has recently been reported that, in the time immediately preceding the crash, Lubitz was in treatment for vision problems, and feared that these might impede his future career as a pilot.
150 people, including two Australians, were killed in March 24 crash, after the captain of the flight was locked out of the cockpit.
Photo: Getty Images News
For help or support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
