Prosecutors: Germanwings Pilot Treated for ‘Suicidal Tendencies’

Andreas Lubitz, the Germanwings pilot who recently crashed a jet into the French Alps and killed everyone onboard, had been treated for “suicidal tendencies” years before he became a pilot, German prosecutors confirmed today.

Numerous reports have indicated that Lubitz, 27, had suffered from depression for years, even tearing up a sick note from a doctor excusing him from work the day of the crash, which authorities say was caused deliberately.

According to German prosecutors investigating the cause of the crash, Lubitz had received psychotherapy for depression for years prior to becoming a pilot. “In the following period, and until recently, further doctor’s visits took place, resulting in sick notes without any suicidal tendencies or aggression against others being recorded,” spokesman Ralf Herrenbrueck said in a written statement obtained by the AP.

Authorities also disputed reports that Lubitz had vision problems, saying that they could not find evidence that he suffered from anything that would impair his vision. As of now, however, they could not determine a precise motive for his actions.

Recordings recovered from the Airbus indicate that Lubitz deliberately locked his copilot out of the cockpit, ignoring his pleas to be let into the cockpit and purposefully crashed the plane into the mountains.

[AP]
[Image via screenshot]

—

>> Follow Tina Nguyen (@Tina_Nguyen) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!