Experts Bureau of Investigations and Analyses have confirmed the scenario of a deliberate crash of March 24, 2015 and recommended a strengthening of medical and psychological monitoring of drivers.
on March 24, an Airbus 320 of the low cost airline Germanwings crashed in the mountainous region of Barcelonnette (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) with 150 people on board. There were no survivors. This is Andreas Lubitz, 27 years co-driver with serious psychiatric disorders who had deliberately precipitated the flight of the mountain. The judicial investigation has shown that sick leave was prescribed for the day of the crash but had not informed his employer and the had not passed him.
On Sunday, the Office ‘investigations and analysis (BEA) announced that a private doctor had recommended that the German driver to be treated in a psychiatric hospital two weeks before the disaster. Andreas Lubitz had begun to show symptoms suggesting a psychotic depressive episode in December 2014 and that he had consulted several doctors the months that followed. None of them has alerted the aviation authorities or the employer.
In addition, the BEA recommends strengthening the medical and psychological monitoring of drivers to improve flight safety. The BEA also recommends “that the drivers follow conditions with a history of psychological disorders are defined (specifically, note) when they are declared fit to fly.” But experts also stressed the need to “accompanying measures” to take into account a possible “reluctance of drivers to report their problems and seeking medical assistance for fear of losing their license.”
in the wake of the publication of this report, the French civil Aviation called for the breaking of confidentiality in case of psychological problems a driver.
Two pilot
its final report, the BEA makes no mention of the mandatory presence of a second person constantly in the cockpit, measure applied by most airlines in Europe since the crash of Germanwings. This provision was recommended by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
In July, EFSA had written a series of six measures to be put in place during 2016. It was let two people permanently in the cockpit, pilots submit to a psychological evaluation before being hired. Furthermore, companies should conduct a program to fight against drugs or alcohol based on random checks; a strict control program of aero-medical examiners should be developed, and a European reference aeromedical data should be created. Finally, EASA requested the establishment of support systems for pilots within airlines. Some of these measures are not followed.
The opening of the armored door
But the two pilots in the cockpit was not the taste of German pilots’ union Cockpit. According to him, such a measure does not guarantee to prevent a premeditated act like Andreas Lubitz. Besides a scenario where the second person is an accomplice can also not be ruled out. Finally, the presence of a second crew member also makes the opening of the armored door of the cabin more predictable in flight, and airlines have, despite their promises, not increase the number of stewards and stewardesses the air needed for this measure, considered Cockpit.
On the French side, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also advocated the presence of two people in the Cockpit. Unlike the decisions of EASA, the recommendations of the DGCA are not binding.
(with updates Sunday March 13 with agencies)
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