07-05-2025
Germanwings Flight 9525 crash led to new safety rule still used by major airlines today
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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.
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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
