Germanwings Pilot Andreas Lubitz Researched Suicide Methods, Cockpit Door Security Features Prior To Crash

Police revealed that Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz appears to have researched suicide methods and cockpit door security in the weeks leading up to crashing the plane into the French Alps. Investigators say that they were able to reconstruct the troubled pilot’s search history from March 16 to 23 which show that Lubitz was planning the murder-suicide for some time.

The Daily Mail reports that Lubitz’s apartment was searched and a tablet computer was found. On the tablet, police reconstructed the co-pilot’s search history for March 16 to 23. The search history shows that Lubitz had searched for information regarding various suicide methods in addition to cockpit door security features. Ralf Herrenbrueck, a spokesman for the prosecutor, notes that the search terms “suicide methods” and “medical treatment” were discovered. In addition to the suicide related search terms, the co-pilot had also searched for various terms regarding cockpit doors and their security features.

The mental state of Lubitz has led many to question if the pilot should have been able to fly and what responsibility airlines have to ensure the mental stability of working pilots. CNN noted that though Lubitz had received medical treatment prior to the crash, he did not disclose to the doctors that he was still flying airplanes. Lubitz reportedly told doctors about his job and employer, but deliberately concealed that he was still working.

Prosecutors in the case say that they are still trying to understand Lubitz’s motive for the murder-suicide. However, the disclosures about the pilot’s internet searches show that the crash was, at minimum, premeditated. The fact that Lubitz pushed for the captain to use the restroom also indicates he planned, prior to putting the plane into descent, what he was going to do.

As the Inquisitr previously reported, an ex-girlfriend of Lubitz notes he was a troubled man who claimed he would do something that would ensure all would know his name and remember it. She says she had no idea what the pilot meant at the time, but that it all makes sense now. A number of news outlets also reported that Lubitz suffered from fits of depression and had received treatment for mental illness, but did not disclose his recent doctor’s notes to Germanwings.

Though police seem to still be investigating the “motive” of Lubitz, others claim the motive is quite clear. The co-pilot was a mass murderer who was also suffering from fits of depression that led to the murder-suicide plot. What motive do you think is most likely in the case of the Germanwings co-pilot and the crash into the French Alps?

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