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Germanwings crash: police search home of co-pilot who flew plane into mountain - rolling report Germanwings crash: police search home of co-pilot who flew plane into mountain - rolling report
(35 minutes later)
11.49am AEST00:49
Airlines adopting two-person cockpit rule: round-up
An update on the airlines that have said they will also adopt the policy of having two people in the cockpit at all times:
Have changed their policy
Already had a two-person rule
No current plan to change policy
No comment
We will update this list if more airlines adapt their procedures today.
11.28am AEST00:28
The Canadian government has said that all Canadian airlines must have two crew members in the cockpit at all times following the Germanwings crash.
The order came from transport minister Lisa Raitt; I’ve taken her quotes from the Toronto Star:
In light of the reports this morning … I am issuing an order to require two members on the flight deck at all times on Canadian planes.
This order is seeking to fill a gap that is in the rules. Currently, there is not the requirement to have two members.
All we’re saying is that you have to have two crew members in the flight deck at all times. It doesn’t matter who it’s going to be. It could be a flight attendant, it could be a customer service person, but they have to be members of the cabin crew .
We are following this situation in Europe very closely. And I’ve asked my officials to take a look at all of our policies and procedures here in Canada that may be applicable to ensure that there is safety for the travelling public.
Airlines Air Canada, Westjet and Air Transat said they would adopt the new policy. Regional carrier Porter said this had always been its rule.
11.17am AEST00:1711.17am AEST00:17
In the wake of the shocking revelation that Andreas Lubitz deliberately steered the plane into a mountain, several airlines have announced that they will implement a two-person cockpit rule:In the wake of the shocking revelation that Andreas Lubitz deliberately steered the plane into a mountain, several airlines have announced that they will implement a two-person cockpit rule:
Norwegian Air Shuttle was one of the first to announce the rule. “When one person leaves the cockpit, two people will now have to be there,” said Thomas Hesthammer, flight operations director for the budget operator. “We have been discussing this for a long time, but this development has accelerated things.”Norwegian Air Shuttle was one of the first to announce the rule. “When one person leaves the cockpit, two people will now have to be there,” said Thomas Hesthammer, flight operations director for the budget operator. “We have been discussing this for a long time, but this development has accelerated things.”
The Canadian charter airline Air Transat also said it would be introducing the rule, while easyJet was the first airline in the UK to announce it would implement the rule from Friday. “The safety and security of its passengers and crew is the airline’s highest priority,” an easyJet spokesperson said.The Canadian charter airline Air Transat also said it would be introducing the rule, while easyJet was the first airline in the UK to announce it would implement the rule from Friday. “The safety and security of its passengers and crew is the airline’s highest priority,” an easyJet spokesperson said.
US airlines have tended to take this precaution even before Tuesday’s accident.US airlines have tended to take this precaution even before Tuesday’s accident.
But aviation journalist John Walton warns that there is more to cockpit security than this:But aviation journalist John Walton warns that there is more to cockpit security than this:
It seems clear many airlines are moving to two-person flight deck procedures after #4U9525. Simple fix and has merit, but not a panacea.It seems clear many airlines are moving to two-person flight deck procedures after #4U9525. Simple fix and has merit, but not a panacea.
The principal purpose of a 2-person flight deck rule, FYI, is so the second person can unlock the door to the other pilot. #4U9525The principal purpose of a 2-person flight deck rule, FYI, is so the second person can unlock the door to the other pilot. #4U9525
He points out that a “rogue” pilot intent on bringing down a plane might still be able to prevent the door from opening. And he explains on this blog:He points out that a “rogue” pilot intent on bringing down a plane might still be able to prevent the door from opening. And he explains on this blog:
Under the strengthened cockpit door protocols put in place after the attacks of September 11, the door can be opened only at the discretion of flight crew on the flight deck …Under the strengthened cockpit door protocols put in place after the attacks of September 11, the door can be opened only at the discretion of flight crew on the flight deck …
As security expert Bruce Schneier explains, there were truly only two things that improved aviation safety in the post-9/11 world: ‘the reinforcement of cockpit doors, and the fact that passengers know now to resist hijackers’.As security expert Bruce Schneier explains, there were truly only two things that improved aviation safety in the post-9/11 world: ‘the reinforcement of cockpit doors, and the fact that passengers know now to resist hijackers’.
After Germanwings flight 9525 — as well as past questions raised by SilkAir 185, Egyptair 990, Royal Air Maroc 630, LAM 470 and other flights — is it time to revisit whether the security provided by passenger resistance might be enough, or whether adequate checks and balances have been built into flight deck security?After Germanwings flight 9525 — as well as past questions raised by SilkAir 185, Egyptair 990, Royal Air Maroc 630, LAM 470 and other flights — is it time to revisit whether the security provided by passenger resistance might be enough, or whether adequate checks and balances have been built into flight deck security?
11.07am AEST00:0711.07am AEST00:07
The Daily Mail quotes a spokesman for investigators involved in the search of Lubitz’s home in Düsseldorf, from which a computer and laptop were reportedly taken by officers:The Daily Mail quotes a spokesman for investigators involved in the search of Lubitz’s home in Düsseldorf, from which a computer and laptop were reportedly taken by officers:
We wanted to search to see if we could find something that would explain what happened.We wanted to search to see if we could find something that would explain what happened.
We have found something which will now be taken for tests. We cannot say what it is at the moment but it may be very significant clue to what has happened. We hope it may give some explanations.We have found something which will now be taken for tests. We cannot say what it is at the moment but it may be very significant clue to what has happened. We hope it may give some explanations.
10.57am AEST23:5710.57am AEST23:57
We have some more photos from the police operation to search the home of Andreas Lubitz in Düsseldorf:We have some more photos from the police operation to search the home of Andreas Lubitz in Düsseldorf:
Investigators have also searched the Montabaur home of Lubitz’s parents and have removed bags of items from the property:Investigators have also searched the Montabaur home of Lubitz’s parents and have removed bags of items from the property:
10.44am AEST23:4410.44am AEST23:44
Aviation lawyers: pilots alone in cockpit 'a known risk'Aviation lawyers: pilots alone in cockpit 'a known risk'
Lufthansa and its subsidiary Germanwings could face huge legal liabilities “well above the typical ceiling in airline crashes” over Tuesday’s crash, Reuters reports, citing aviation lawyers:Lufthansa and its subsidiary Germanwings could face huge legal liabilities “well above the typical ceiling in airline crashes” over Tuesday’s crash, Reuters reports, citing aviation lawyers:
A lot will depend on whether the airline can defend itself against negligence claims given that prosecutors said on Thursday that a young German co-pilot locked himself alone in the cockpit of the Airbus A320 and set it on course to crash, killing all 144 passengers and six crew members.A lot will depend on whether the airline can defend itself against negligence claims given that prosecutors said on Thursday that a young German co-pilot locked himself alone in the cockpit of the Airbus A320 and set it on course to crash, killing all 144 passengers and six crew members.
An international agreement generally limits airline liability to around US$157,400 (£105,000, AU$200,000) for each passenger who dies in a crash if families do not sue, but if families want to pursue compensation for greater damages, they can file lawsuits.An international agreement generally limits airline liability to around US$157,400 (£105,000, AU$200,000) for each passenger who dies in a crash if families do not sue, but if families want to pursue compensation for greater damages, they can file lawsuits.
Lawyers who have represented families in past airline disasters told Reuters on Thursday that potential lawsuits could focus on whether Germanwings properly screened the co-pilot before and during his employment, and on whether the airline should have had a policy requiring two or more people in cockpits at all times during a flight.Lawyers who have represented families in past airline disasters told Reuters on Thursday that potential lawsuits could focus on whether Germanwings properly screened the co-pilot before and during his employment, and on whether the airline should have had a policy requiring two or more people in cockpits at all times during a flight.
Justin Green, a partner at the law firm Kreindler & Kreindler in New York, said passengers’ families would be justified in asking why Andreas Lubitz was allowed to be alone in the cockpit.Justin Green, a partner at the law firm Kreindler & Kreindler in New York, said passengers’ families would be justified in asking why Andreas Lubitz was allowed to be alone in the cockpit.
Pilots may temporarily leave the cockpit at certain times and in certain circumstances, such as while the aircraft is cruising, according to German aviation law.Pilots may temporarily leave the cockpit at certain times and in certain circumstances, such as while the aircraft is cruising, according to German aviation law.
Even if the practice was allowed, though, “this has been a known risk,” Green said. He noted that some investigators believed that pilots intentionally downed a SilkAir aircraft in 1997 and an EgyptAir aircraft in 1999.Even if the practice was allowed, though, “this has been a known risk,” Green said. He noted that some investigators believed that pilots intentionally downed a SilkAir aircraft in 1997 and an EgyptAir aircraft in 1999.
“This idea that one pilot could murder everyone on board and kill himself is something that’s happened before and something that everyone knew about,” Green said.“This idea that one pilot could murder everyone on board and kill himself is something that’s happened before and something that everyone knew about,” Green said.
Lufthansa will abide by international agreements dictating liability, its chief executive Carsten Spohr said. “Honestly, it’s one of my smaller worries,” he told journalists on Thursday. “We will be able to meet the financial liabilities. Our first priority is to help the families where we can.”Lufthansa will abide by international agreements dictating liability, its chief executive Carsten Spohr said. “Honestly, it’s one of my smaller worries,” he told journalists on Thursday. “We will be able to meet the financial liabilities. Our first priority is to help the families where we can.”
Under an international agreement known as the Montreal Convention of 1999, an airline generally cannot escape liability for a passenger death.Under an international agreement known as the Montreal Convention of 1999, an airline generally cannot escape liability for a passenger death.
For each death, a carrier can be liable for up to 113,100 special drawing rights, a reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund. On Tuesday, the amount was equal to about $157,400, or $22.7m for 144 passengers.For each death, a carrier can be liable for up to 113,100 special drawing rights, a reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund. On Tuesday, the amount was equal to about $157,400, or $22.7m for 144 passengers.
The potential lawsuits for additional damages could be filed in any of several jurisdictions, including Germany, where Germanwings is based, and a number of different home countries of the passengers, such as Spain.The potential lawsuits for additional damages could be filed in any of several jurisdictions, including Germany, where Germanwings is based, and a number of different home countries of the passengers, such as Spain.
Passengers’ families are limited to claiming provable damages, which vary depending on the jurisdiction but may include loss of support and pain and suffering, the lawyers said.Passengers’ families are limited to claiming provable damages, which vary depending on the jurisdiction but may include loss of support and pain and suffering, the lawyers said.
Bruce Ottley, co-director of the International Aviation Law Institute at DePaul University College of Law, said he was sceptical that Germanwings would need to pay above the Montreal Convention limit unless there is evidence the airline knew in advance the co-pilot was at risk.Bruce Ottley, co-director of the International Aviation Law Institute at DePaul University College of Law, said he was sceptical that Germanwings would need to pay above the Montreal Convention limit unless there is evidence the airline knew in advance the co-pilot was at risk.
But Ottley said airlines choose to settle legal claims in the vast majority of crashes, so the issues may never go to a judge or jury. “Very rarely do these things ever, ever go to trial,” he said.But Ottley said airlines choose to settle legal claims in the vast majority of crashes, so the issues may never go to a judge or jury. “Very rarely do these things ever, ever go to trial,” he said.
For Germanwings to limit its liability, it would have to establish that it and its employees and agents were not in any way at fault or that the accident had been caused solely by the fault of a third party, said Clive Garner, a partner at the law firm Irwin Mitchell in London. The firm has represented passengers’ families in other aviation accidents, including a crash in Nepal in 2012.For Germanwings to limit its liability, it would have to establish that it and its employees and agents were not in any way at fault or that the accident had been caused solely by the fault of a third party, said Clive Garner, a partner at the law firm Irwin Mitchell in London. The firm has represented passengers’ families in other aviation accidents, including a crash in Nepal in 2012.
“Given this scenario and what we know at the moment, Germanwings would be unlikely to be able to establish a relevant defence,” Garner wrote in an email.“Given this scenario and what we know at the moment, Germanwings would be unlikely to be able to establish a relevant defence,” Garner wrote in an email.
A $6.5m claim for the loss of the plane itself was paid on Wednesday, insurance industry sources said.A $6.5m claim for the loss of the plane itself was paid on Wednesday, insurance industry sources said.
Germany’s Allianz is the lead insurer in the case, sharing the financial burden of the loss with other insurance companies.Germany’s Allianz is the lead insurer in the case, sharing the financial burden of the loss with other insurance companies.
Updated at 10.44am AESTUpdated at 10.44am AEST
10.29am AEST23:2910.29am AEST23:29
Spanish newspaper El Pais also leads its Friday edition with the questions over why Lubitz forced the plane to descend:Spanish newspaper El Pais also leads its Friday edition with the questions over why Lubitz forced the plane to descend:
Investigan la razón por la que el copiloto estrelló el avión; Arabia Saudí bombardea Yemen... http://t.co/iNlxYJigcv pic.twitter.com/mKfECtdr5jInvestigan la razón por la que el copiloto estrelló el avión; Arabia Saudí bombardea Yemen... http://t.co/iNlxYJigcv pic.twitter.com/mKfECtdr5j
10.14am AEST23:1410.14am AEST23:14
Luke Harding adds these observations after scouring the local press:Luke Harding adds these observations after scouring the local press:
According to Der Spiegel, citing friends of the pilot, Lubitz broke off his training because he was suffering from “burn-out syndrome or depression”.According to Der Spiegel, citing friends of the pilot, Lubitz broke off his training because he was suffering from “burn-out syndrome or depression”.
Neighbours, however, said he showed no sign of unhappiness or stress. One friend quoted by the local Rhein-Zeitung newspaper posted on a social network: “Only yesterday we talked about what we could do after you got back. Every day you made me laugh …”Neighbours, however, said he showed no sign of unhappiness or stress. One friend quoted by the local Rhein-Zeitung newspaper posted on a social network: “Only yesterday we talked about what we could do after you got back. Every day you made me laugh …”
Others described Lubitz as a “completely inconspicuous” young man who could be often seen jogging round the neighbourhood.Others described Lubitz as a “completely inconspicuous” young man who could be often seen jogging round the neighbourhood.
Every spring between 2010 and 2013 he took part in the Lufthansa half marathon in Frankfurt, clocking up a time on his last run of 1 hour and 37 minutes. When not jogging he wore jeans, rather than his pilot’s uniform.Every spring between 2010 and 2013 he took part in the Lufthansa half marathon in Frankfurt, clocking up a time on his last run of 1 hour and 37 minutes. When not jogging he wore jeans, rather than his pilot’s uniform.
Updated at 10.25am AESTUpdated at 10.25am AEST
10.12am AEST23:1210.12am AEST23:12
Meanwhile this was the scene earlier in Montabaur outside the home of Lubitz’s parents.Meanwhile this was the scene earlier in Montabaur outside the home of Lubitz’s parents.
10.07am AEST23:0710.07am AEST23:07
The papers have been rolling off the presses in Europe. Bild, the popular German tabloid has a different image of Lubitz.The papers have been rolling off the presses in Europe. Bild, the popular German tabloid has a different image of Lubitz.
BILD: Der Amok-Pilot #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/Y2wPeaVpq8BILD: Der Amok-Pilot #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/Y2wPeaVpq8
Updated at 10.25am AESTUpdated at 10.25am AEST
10.00am AEST23:0010.00am AEST23:00
Our correspondent Luke Harding is in Montabaur. He has just sent this report:Our correspondent Luke Harding is in Montabaur. He has just sent this report:
German investigators have removed documents and a computer from the home of Andreas Lubitz in the small town of Montabaur, between Cologne and Frankfurt in the west of Germany.German investigators have removed documents and a computer from the home of Andreas Lubitz in the small town of Montabaur, between Cologne and Frankfurt in the west of Germany.
Lubitz grew up in Montabaur – population 15,000 – and attended the local Mons-Tabor Gymnasium or grammar school. There was no sign of his parents who are believed to have gone to the crash scene in France.Lubitz grew up in Montabaur – population 15,000 – and attended the local Mons-Tabor Gymnasium or grammar school. There was no sign of his parents who are believed to have gone to the crash scene in France.
Detectives were concentrating their search on two properties: Lubitz’s family home in Montabaur and a flat he is believed to have rented in Dusseldorf.Detectives were concentrating their search on two properties: Lubitz’s family home in Montabaur and a flat he is believed to have rented in Dusseldorf.
The family live in a large two-storey detached house, with a pleasant balcony, on Am Spiessweiher street, close to an apostolic church. Their garden is immaculately tended. It has daffodils, ornamental shrubs and a perfectly sculpted hedge. His mother played the organ in another evangelical church, neighbours said. Lubitz has a younger brother.The family live in a large two-storey detached house, with a pleasant balcony, on Am Spiessweiher street, close to an apostolic church. Their garden is immaculately tended. It has daffodils, ornamental shrubs and a perfectly sculpted hedge. His mother played the organ in another evangelical church, neighbours said. Lubitz has a younger brother.
One local said that he knew Lubitz “by sight” and saw him from time to time working out in the town’s fitness centre. “I just knew him to look at. He was a sporting kind of guy,” he said.One local said that he knew Lubitz “by sight” and saw him from time to time working out in the town’s fitness centre. “I just knew him to look at. He was a sporting kind of guy,” he said.
Lubitz attended the Mons-Tabor school, which offers students a humanist education, and completed his German high school diploma, the Arbitur, there in 2007.Lubitz attended the Mons-Tabor school, which offers students a humanist education, and completed his German high school diploma, the Arbitur, there in 2007.
9.56am AEST22:569.56am AEST22:56
Police have been searching the home of Lubitz in the German city of Dusseldorf as well as the family home in the town of Montabaur.Police have been searching the home of Lubitz in the German city of Dusseldorf as well as the family home in the town of Montabaur.
9.53am AEST22:539.53am AEST22:53
Welcome back to our continuing coverage of the Germanwings crash.Welcome back to our continuing coverage of the Germanwings crash.
The focus of the investigation has dramatically switched in the past 24 hours to focus on the co-pilot of flight 4U9525, Andreas Lubitz. It is now suspected he deliberately flew his plane, its passengers and crew into the side of a mountain in the French Alps, killing all.The focus of the investigation has dramatically switched in the past 24 hours to focus on the co-pilot of flight 4U9525, Andreas Lubitz. It is now suspected he deliberately flew his plane, its passengers and crew into the side of a mountain in the French Alps, killing all.
Below is a summary of where we are with this tragic story and we will be updating as the day goes on.Below is a summary of where we are with this tragic story and we will be updating as the day goes on.
Updated at 10.26am AESTUpdated at 10.26am AEST
9.53am AEST22:539.53am AEST22:53
SummarySummary
Here are the major developments in the aftermath and investigation of the Germanwings crash in the French Alps that killed 150 people.Here are the major developments in the aftermath and investigation of the Germanwings crash in the French Alps that killed 150 people.
Updated at 10.30am AESTUpdated at 10.30am AEST