Co-pilot of Germanwings Flight Suffered from Severe Depression

A German newspaper has reported that the co-pilot of the Germanwings flight, which crashed into the French Alps with all passengers on board, was suffering from severe depression. Bild newspaper, in its Friday edition, citing documents from the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA), wrote that Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot of the crashed plane, began his psychotherapy for 'severe depression' in 2009 and continued to receive these services. Meanwhile, according to AFP, neighbors and colleagues of Mr. Lubitz described him as a likable and sports-loving person who lived with his parents in a luxurious house in Montabaur, western Germany. Bild reported that the German airline Lufthansa, as the parent company of Germanwings, had informed the LBA about the co-pilot's depression. The newspaper also quoted security sources stating that Andreas Lubitz and his girlfriend were experiencing a serious crisis in their relationship, which had a significant negative impact on Mr. Lubitz. However, investigators in Germany have said that it appears this co-pilot had concealed evidence of his illness from his employers. Despite this, no letters regarding suicide or evidence indicating that he had political or religious motives were found during the search of Andreas Lubitz's home. Andreas Lubitz, the 28-year-old co-pilot of the German airline Germanwings, was flying from Barcelona, Spain, to Düsseldorf, Germany, but intentionally crashed the plane into the French Alps by locking the cockpit door and not allowing the pilot, who had stepped out to use the restroom, to re-enter. All 150 passengers and crew members on board were killed in this incident. The French prosecutor's office has stated that there is no doubt that Lubitz had control of the plane and brought it down. Following this incident, various airlines around the world are seeking to implement guidelines that require at least two crew members to be present in the cockpit at all times during flights. Associated Press reported that Denmark's Ministry of Transport has issued an order to implement this measure starting Friday.