Ep 6. Killer in the Cockpit?

On Air Disasters season 14 episode 6, titled "Killer in the Cockpit," the documentary series sheds light on the tragic crash of Germanwings Flight 9515. The program delves into the shocking revelation that the tragedy was not caused by technical failures or inclement weather, but rather by the suicidal actions of the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz.

The episode explores the events leading up to the disaster, starting from Lubitz's history and medical condition that should have disqualified him from flying according to aviation protocols. Lubitz had struggled with depression and had been receiving treatment, but kept this information from his employer.

Viewers learn that Lubitz was flying the Airbus A320 from Barcelona to Düsseldorf on March 24, 2015, carrying 149 passengers and crew members. The flight was uneventful until the captain left the cockpit for a break. Once the captain left, Lubitz locked the cockpit door and set the plane on a course to crash into the French Alps. The captain attempted to re-enter the cockpit, but was denied access, and ultimately Lubitz's actions led to the plane crashing into the mountains, killing everyone on board.

The episode encompasses a detailed account of the investigation that led to the discovery of the co-pilot's suicidal intentions. It explains how investigators were able to piece together information from the plane's cockpit voice recorder, which they found among the wreckage, to reveal Lubitz's state of mind during the fateful flight. The recording showed that before the captain left the cockpit, Lubitz had repeated searches on the plane's computer system to look for ways to commit suicide and had even rehearsed the steps necessary to lock the captain out of the cockpit.

Experts provide insights on why Lubitz's medical condition and history were not flagged by authorities and the airline. The episode also reviews the various safety measures that have been implemented since the disaster, including the introduction of cockpit security measures, improved psychological screenings for pilots, and the four-eyes principle, which requires at least two persons to be present in the cockpit at all times during a flight.

Overall, "Killer in the Cockpit" is a thought-provoking episode that provides an in-depth examination of one of the most tragic aviation disasters in recent history. Through interviews with experts and access to cockpit voice recordings, the show reveals the disturbing actions of a co-pilot that led to the loss of hundreds of innocent lives. The episode raises important issues regarding the importance of mental health evaluations for pilots and the need for improved safety measures to prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future.