EILMELDUNG
Staatsanwaltschaft Marseille: Copilot leitet absichtlich Sinkflug ein

from faz.de

Press conference states that it was deliberate action by the co-pilot.

Tom

What a c**t.

I bet there will be pilots out there now who will think twice before taking a comfort break until they come up with a new system of entry/exit.

An article on the Germanwings co-pilot:


"Aviation Business Gazette


Updated September 18, 2013, 11:01 a.m. ET
FAA recognizes Andreas Guenter Lubitz

Rheinland Pfalz-based pilot sets positive example
By STAFF REPORTS





The FAA hopes new pilot training standards will enhance airline safety
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is recognizing Andreas Guenter Lubitz with inclusion in the prestigious FAA Airmen Certification Database.
The database, which appears on the agency's website at www.faa.gov, names Lubitz and other certified pilots who have met or exceeded the high educational, licensing and medical standards established by the FAA.
Pilot certification standards have evolved over time in an attempt to reduce pilot errors that lead to fatal crashes. FAA standards, which are set in consultation with the aviation industry and the public, are among the highest in the world.
Transportation safety experts strongly recommend against flying with an uncertified pilot. FAA pilot certification can be the difference between a safe flight and one that ends in tragedy."


http://aviation-business-gazette.com...nd-Pfalz-.html

Edit: Sorry, this may be a spoof article.

More here:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...oard-live.html

Edit:

Mullhollander: can you verify the man you have named was the copilot on the plane?
Never mind. I've found another source stating the same thing.

from Blick Liveticker:
"Andreas Lubitz heisst der Co-Pilot."

BBC report:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32063587

It was a deliberate act. Doesn't say if it was suicide or terrorism.

From FAA.gov website:

Airman: ANDREAS GUENTER LUBITZ

Personal Information ANDREAS GUENTER LUBITZ

AM SPIESSWEIHER 8
MONTABAUR
56410 RHEINLAND PFALZ
Country: GERMANY
Medical Medical Class: Third, Medical Date: 6/2010

Certificates STUDENT PILOTPRIVATE PILOT(FOREIGN BASED)
Date of Issue: 6/18/2010
Certificate: STUDENT PILOT Print
Date of Issue: 1/6/2012
Certificate: PRIVATE PILOT(FOREIGN BASED) Print
Ratings:
PRIVATE PILOT (Foreign Based)
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
GLIDER

Limits:
ENGLISH PROFICIENT.
ISSUED ON BASIS OF AND VALID ONLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY GERMANY PILOT LICENSE NUMBER(S) 27788 9460.
ALL LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON THE GERMANY PILOT LICENSE APPLY.

There was a massive paradigm shift in thinking about airplane security when it was realised that there might be terrorists who are fanatical enough to go down with a plane. Now serious thought needs to be given to ways to prevent a renegade pilot deciding to end their lives in the most extreme ways possible because there have been enough cases (at least 10 in the last three decades). These guys are only human, and because of that they are becoming the weakest link in an otherwise robust chain.

Clearly these are still very very rare occurrences, but dramatic enough to warrant attention and as an ordinary flying member of the public I feel I have a right to demand that. The technology is already there for planes to be flown and landed autonomously, and this could be something that is done if a panic button in the cabin is pressed and not overridden immediately by 'both pilots simultaneously' in the cockpit.

How long before we all have to take mental health assessments directly after airport security.

Given what he did I guess we should be thankful that he didn't fly into a crowded area.

AGL- 28 yrs of age.

Statistically does this mean my flight on Monday is more or less safe?

Uh oh, the co-pilot's family is just about to land in Marseilles.

trust you to make a joke out of this tragedy

Some companies in Sweden has a rule which do not allow anyone to be alone in the cockpit, e.g. of the captain leaves one person from the crew has to be present...

anyway, this was scary as hell... I assume the passengers heard everything although maybe only the captain realized what was going on...f-ing horror...

One could reasonably conceive that they would have discovered any sort of note, or insurance policy, if such existed.

True, perhaps if the pilot had shown such intent the mirage sent to investigate would have had to bring it down..?

Can you think of a reason that pilots and co-pilots should not be able to overide the door? In case they are captured, i suppose, then they can be forced to give access. I your suggestion seems to be a suitable dead man's switch.

And for the record, this is truly horrible. Deeply sorry for those who have lost loved ones to what appears now to be a chillingly willful act. Several minutes of unwavering intent, in silence, no declaration of any sort. The last thing here is to confirm whether he was trying to secure the award of an insurance policy. If not, how to conclude? Pure Monster? I don't think they exist, even if it 'helps' in this case.

Everyone, even 'healthy' people, can benefit from counseling. There is an unfortunate stigma against mental illness, and those who exhibit a need for help. Really, it should be considered nothing more or less than an eye exam, or a dental cleaning.

just sad.

It isn't actually a joke. Statistically an air crash has a low statistical probability, by terrorism even lower. Each flight is individual and has no linked probability - same as if you toss 10 heads in a row, it doesn't mean the 11th will be a tail.

However, the likelihood of 2 "attacks" occuring in quick succession (except for 9-11) must be very low. Does this mean that statistically it is safer to fly now?

(Noting that Malaysia Air stands out)

So, they're blaming the co-pilot 48 hours after the crash and before they've even found, let alone analysed, the FDR.

To announce this before they even know what controls were activated is bloody irresponsible. In fact if I were a TFH I'd say that the BEA are being pressured to protect Airbus which France most certainly has a great interest in.

OK, so what we do know does not appear to do the co-pilot any favours, but for heavens sake get all the facts you can before apportioning blame, and after just 48 hours there's a hell of lot still to be pieced together before any real conclusions can be drawn.

__________________
...allegedly.

Physician heal thyself.