Germanwings A320 airliner crashes in French alps

Airbus A320 crash: German Wings flight 'down in southern France' - Europe - World - The Independent

An Airbus A320 operated by the German Wings airline has crashed in southern France, according to reports.

The plane was travelling between Barcelona and Dusseldorf when it came down in the French Alps near Digne, according to the AFP News Agency.

There were conflicting early reports of the number of passengers on the plane, which is believed to have a capacity of 174.

Le Monde and local newspapers cited aviation officials as saying that 142 passengers and six crew were on board at the time.

 

French Alps can be unforgiving. Hope only for the best outcome to those involved and their loved ones and family!

 

SEYNE, France — The young co-pilot of the doomed Germanwings flight deliberately crashed the plane into the French Alps after locking his captain out of the cockpit, but is not believed to be part of a terrorist plot, French officials said Thursday.

The 28-year-old co-pilot "deliberately" initiated the plane's descent, Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin told a press conference in which he revealed the details of recordings made by the Airbus' cockpit flight recorder in the final minutes before the crash that killed all 150 aboard.

"The co-pilot is alone at the controls," Robin said. "He voluntarily refused to open the door of the cockpit to the pilot and voluntarily began the descent of the plane."

There was no immediate clue to the motive of the co-pilot, but investigators appeared to rule out terrorism.

"At this moment, there is no indication that this is an act of terrorism," Robin said, adding that the co-pilot, identified as Andreas Lubitz, had no known terrorist connection. "He was not known to us."

Despite the horrifying scenario of a rogue co-pilot sending the Germanwings crew and passengers to their deaths, Robin said that the passengers on board probably were unaware "until the end".



More from: Co-pilot crashed Germanwings flight deliberately — prosecutor | News | GMA News Online

 

Sounds like a mentally disturbed pilot if it was not terrorism. I have heard that many airlines severely overwork (and underpay) their pilots as well. Still though, no sane person intentionally flies a plane into a mountain.

 

It now comes out that the pilot had just split with his partner and had some depression issues whilst training, he also had only 600 hours + on the A 320.
Also interesting to read how the cockpit doors on these planes operate after the 9/11 attacks.
The pilot has a switch which he can over ride for 5 minutes so the code cannot be used from outside the door!

 

If it is confirmed he was depressed there will be a huge payout and maybe the airline will not make it.
Rip to all those who were onboard, a terrible waste of innocent lives.