Latest news with #AndreasLubitz
Epoch Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Unconscious Co-Pilot Left Lufthansa Jet Unattended in 2024 Mid-Air Scare, Report Says
A Lufthansa flight bound for Spain was left without a pilot at the controls for almost 10 minutes in 2024 when the first officer collapsed while the captain was locked out of the cockpit, the Spanish authorities have said. During the flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Seville, Spain, on Feb. 17, 2024, the first officer of an Airbus A321 lost consciousness in the cockpit while the captain was using the bathroom, according to a At the time, the plane was cruising at above 30,000 feet with 199 passengers and six crew members on board. It had been flying normally as it entered Spanish airspace, and it had about 30 minutes left of the journey. The captain told investigators that the co-pilot appeared to be in good condition before he left the flight deck for a bathroom break. However, when he returned eight minutes later, he was unable to get back into the cockpit. Investigators said the first officer suffered what he described as a 'sudden and severe incapacitation,' which occurred so abruptly that he was unable to alert anyone. The captain first tried to reenter using the standard cockpit access code, which prompts a buzzer requiring manual confirmation from the inside. After five failed attempts and no response over the intercom, the captain resorted to using an emergency access code, which would have automatically opened the door after a short delay. Related Stories 5/17/2025 5/16/2025 Just before the emergency access code timer ran out, the co-pilot regained awareness and opened the door manually, allowing the captain to quickly take control of the aircraft. The report stated that the 38-year-old first officer was found 'pale, sweating, and moving strangely.' The captain immediately called for assistance. Cabin crew and a doctor who was traveling as a passenger administered first aid, while the captain diverted the flight to Madrid, the nearest airport. The co-pilot's incapacitation was later attributed to a 'neurological condition' that had not been previously detected by the patient himself or in his prior medical exams. The CIAIAC said this condition was difficult to detect and would appear in a medical exam only if his symptoms had been present at the time or had occurred before. Throughout the incident, the plane's autopilot system remained engaged and kept the plane on a stable course, according to the Spanish aviation regulator, although the co-pilot might have unintentionally interacted with the controls while he was unconscious. The incident raised renewed attention to cockpit protocol. In 2015, German airlines adopted the 'two-person cockpit rule' in the aftermath of the Germanwings 9525 tragedy, during which investigators believe that pilot Andreas Lubitz locked the captain out of the cockpit and deliberately crashed the Airbus A320 into the French Alps, killing all 150 people on board. This policy required that at least two crew members be present in the flight deck at all times. If one pilot were to need to leave, a flight attendant would temporarily take his or her place so that no pilot was ever left alone. In 2017, however, the German Aviation Association lifted that rule, saying that German airlines had all agreed that the two-person cockpit requirement did not improve safety and could, in fact, introduce new risks, such as leaving the door open for too long. Instead, airlines pledged to improve mental health screenings for pilots and provide aircrews with better psychological support services.
Wales Online
07-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Germanwings Flight 9525 crash led to new safety rule still used by major airlines today
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Sky Documentaries is set to revisit the heart-wrenching Germanwings flight that crashed into the French Alps in 2015, claiming all lives on board. The ill-fated Flight 9525 was en route from Barcelona to Dusseldorf on March 24, when co-pilot Andreas Lubitz locked himself in the cockpit and deliberately plunged the plane into the Alps. The flight's captain, Patrick Sonderheimer, had reportedly taken a toilet break and was unable to persuade Lubitz to open the door in the crucial minutes leading up to the crash. Subsequent investigations revealed that Lubitz had previously undergone psychiatric treatment and had struggled with suicidal thoughts. Prosecutors also found that his internet searches included inquiries about the most effective methods of suicide, reports the Manchester Evening News. A decade after this devastating incident, viewers will be keen to understand what measures have been implemented to enhance flight safety. (Image: Ministere de l'Interieur/Getty Images) In response to the tragedy, Lufthansa, the parent company of Germanwings, introduced a rule requiring two crew members to be present in the cockpit at all times. Other airlines, including EasyJet, followed suit by implementing similar policies. This safety protocol was already in place in the United States, and some European airlines such as Ryanair had comparable procedures. In 2017, the German Aviation Association (BDL) concluded that airlines were no longer obligated to follow the two-person cockpit rule. They asserted that it did not enhance flight safety and could present additional hazards, such as preventing cabin crew from assisting passengers in emergencies. (Image:) The announcement by the BDL followed a year after the European Aviation Safety Agency softened its stance on the rule, advising airlines to apply the policy depending on individual circumstances. Despite the lack of requirement, many carriers still adhere to the protocol. The new Sky documentary set to broadcast tonight (May 7), offers an in-depth analysis into what transpired before the catastrophic event, with journalistic and expert insights revealing the details. According to the official synopsis: "In 2015, Germanwings Flight 9525 crashed in the French Alps, killing 150 passengers and crew members. A decade later, survivors, experts and journalists have their say." Germanwings: What Happened on Flight 9525? airs tonight at 9pm on Sky Documentaries
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Huge rule introduced after Germanwings tragedy that pilots still follow
The tragic 2015 crash claimed the lives of 150 people (Image: Ministere de l'Interieur/Getty Images) Sky Documentaries is set to revisit the heart-wrenching Germanwings flight disaster that occurred in 2015, killing all passengers on board. Flight 9525 was en route from Barcelona to Dusseldorf on March 24, when co-pilot Andreas Lubitz barricaded himself in the cockpit and deliberately crashed the plane into the French Alps. The flight's captain, Patrick Sonderheimer, had reportedly stepped out for a toilet break and was unable to persuade Lubitz to unlock the door in the crucial moments leading up to the devastating crash. Subsequent investigations unveiled that Lubitz had a history of psychiatric treatment and had grappled with suicidal thoughts. Prosecutors also found evidence of his internet searches, which included inquiries about the most effective methods of suicide, reports the Manchester Evening News. A new rule required flights to have two crew members in the cockpit at all times (Image: AFP via Getty Images) A decade after this shocking tragedy, viewers will be keen to understand what measures have been implemented to enhance flight safety. In the aftermath of the incident, Lufthansa, the parent company of Germanwings, introduced a rule mandating the presence of two crew members in the cockpit at all times. Other airlines, including EasyJet, followed suit by adopting similar policies. This safety protocol was already in place in the United States, and some European airlines such as Ryanair had comparable procedures in effect. In a pivotal move back in 2017, the German Aviation Association (BDL) declared that airlines would no longer be compelled to adhere to the two-person cockpit rule. They asserted that the policy did not bolster safety on flights and could invite other dangers, such as cabin crew being tied up during emergencies rather than assisting passengers. The new Sky documentary revisits the tragedy (Image:) The announcement from the German association came a year after the European Aviation Safety Agency eased up on the same regulation. They advised airlines to apply the measure on a case-by-case basis. While some airlines continue to practice the two-person policy, it is no longer considered compulsory. Tonight's new Sky documentary (May 7) offers an in-depth investigation into the sequence of events that culminated in the catastrophic crash of the Germanwings plane. The official synopsis states: "In 2015, Germanwings Flight 9525 crashed in the French Alps, killing 150 passengers and crew members. A decade later, survivors, experts and journalists have their say." Germanwings: What Happened on Flight 9525? airs tonight at 9pm on Sky Documentaries
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
TV tonight: why did Germanwings flight 9525 crash?
9pm, Sky Documentaries It has been 10 years since the awful incident of the Germanwings Flight 9525 crash in the French Alps, in which all 150 passengers and crew were killed. The French public prosecutor's office determined that the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, who had been treated for severe depression, deliberately crashed the plane. But this is still questioned. In this documentary, experts and journalists piece together what happened. Hollie Richardson 8pm, BBC One The unstoppably lovely object makeover show is ideally suited to a VE Day commemoration, as it restores a cockpit clock, a plastic doll, an RAF cap and an autograph book. All have remarkable stories attached; the clock is brought in by a 101-year-old war veteran. Jack Seale Race Across the World 9pm, BBC One The third leg, in which our five pairs race from the island checkpoint of Sanya to Shangri-La in the foothills of the Himalayas. (Yes, you read that right: in 2001, the Chinese town of Zhongdian renamed itself after a completely mythical city.) With typhoons leaving ex-couple Yin and Gaz trailing 44 hours behind, every choice is critical. Ali Catterall Saving Lives in Cardiff 9pm, BBC Two To be a surgeon in a busy UK hospital is to confront life-or-death decisions every day. In this edition, those decisions pertain to the most painful condition known to medicine, and a rare neuroendocrine tumour. The waiting list numbers are bleak and the risks are huge, but the results can be truly miraculous. Ellen E Jones Genius Game 9pm, ITV1 Fiendish test … Amanfi Aggrey in Genius Game. Photograph: ITV Still early days for this elaborate David Tennant-fronted show where all the contestants have notably high IQs but must rely on 'social skills' (lying, mostly) to stay in the game. This week revolves around a fiendish codebreaking test, but forget trying to solve it yourself – just enjoy watching the nine remaining eggheads scrambling to survive. Graeme Virtue I, Jack Wright 9pm, U&Alibi Unforgotten creator Chris Lang's whodunnit thriller continues with Sally (Nikki Amuka-Bird) demanding the exhumation of her ex-husband Jack (Trevor Eve). Meanwhile, police question the family members who all had a reason for bumping off the Wright patriarch after an unjust will reading. HR Live sport Champions League football: Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal 7pm, TNT Sports 1. The semi-final second-leg tie at Parc des Princes.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Families gather at site of Germanwings plane crash to mark 10 years since tragedy
Hundreds of people have gathered to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Germanwings plane crash that killed 150. Family members of the victims travelled to the scene of the crash in the French Alps on Monday morning, where flight 9525 was brought down by co-pilot Andreas Lubitz on the afternoon of 24 March 2015. The aircraft had taken off from Barcelona, Spain just hours before, bound for Dusseldorf, Germany. READ MORE: Man forced to choke his own dog with his forearms during horrific 45-minute mauling READ MORE: Major Madeleine McCann update as prime suspect Christian Brueckner may walk free in just days All 150 of those on board lost their lives in the tragedy, including a group of 16 students and two teachers from a German high school and a 37-year-old mother from Manchester, along with her seven-month-old baby. Other victims included a pair of acclaimed German opera singers and a member of an Argentine rock band. Most of those killed originated from Germany and Spain, however the death toll included people from 17 different countries in total. While relatives and close friends paid their respects at the site of the incident, hundreds gathered in the western German town of Haltern am See to remember the 18-member school group who lost their lives on the same day a decade ago. Christian Krahl, principal of the Joseph Konig high school, remarked on the importance of remembering the tragedy. 'We want to be close to those who are infinitely sad to this day,' he told German news agency DPA. The town's mayor, Andreas Stegemann, told the agency that the tragedy is a permanent part of the town's history. Wreaths were laid at the town cemetery, where some of the students are buried alongside a memorial which resembles a schoolroom. Elsewhere, in the French village of Le Vernet - which is located near the crash site - Carsten Spohr, the chief executive of Germanwings parent Lufthansa, laid flowers for the victims. Commemorations were also carried out at Barcelona airport and Dusseldorf airport. A book of condolences was made available at the latter to allow employees and travellers to write tributes. When investigators revealed that the crash was caused by the actions of the flight's co-pilot, many of the victim's loved ones reacted with shock and anger. It was later revealed that Lubitz had suffered from depression and sleeplessness in the months leading up to the incident, but was deemed fit to fly by his employer. A five-meter "Solar Orb" was erected at the site of the crash in 2017. Made up of 149 gilded aluminium plates, it is meant to represent all those who died on board except the co-pilot.
