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Before Crash, Germanwings Pilot Searched Web for Ways to Die Before Crash, Germanwings Pilot Searched Web for Ways to Die
(about 5 hours later)
BERLIN — The day before he deliberately crashed an Airbus 320 carrying 149 passengers and crew members into the French Alps, Andreas Lubitz safely flew an empty jet from Düsseldorf to Berlin, then returned home to his iPad to search terms including “living will,” “suffering” and “dying.” BERLIN — The day before he crashed an Airbus 320 carrying 149 passengers and crew members into the French Alps, Andreas Lubitz safely flew an empty jet from Düsseldorf, Germany, to Berlin, then returned home to his iPad to search terms including “living will,” “suffering” and “dying.”
Christoph Kumpa, the Düsseldorf prosecutor, confirmed on Friday the discovery of the search terms, first reported by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. He said they indicated that the 27-year-old pilot, who was alone at the controls on March 24 when the Germanwings flight slammed into the side of a mountain, had considered other means of killing himself, but that he may have feared that he would not succeed.Christoph Kumpa, the Düsseldorf prosecutor, confirmed on Friday the discovery of the search terms, first reported by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. He said they indicated that the 27-year-old pilot, who was alone at the controls on March 24 when the Germanwings flight slammed into the side of a mountain, had considered other means of killing himself, but that he may have feared that he would not succeed.
The information gleaned from Mr. Lubitz’s search activity in the weeks before the crash, including looking up information about obtaining poisons and Valium, forms part of the growing body of evidence the German prosecutors have gathered and evaluated in the past 11 weeks in an effort to determine whether anyone could be charged with wrongdoing for failing to adequately monitor Mr. Lubitz’s mental health.The information gleaned from Mr. Lubitz’s search activity in the weeks before the crash, including looking up information about obtaining poisons and Valium, forms part of the growing body of evidence the German prosecutors have gathered and evaluated in the past 11 weeks in an effort to determine whether anyone could be charged with wrongdoing for failing to adequately monitor Mr. Lubitz’s mental health.
Unlike in France, where charges can be brought against a company, only individuals can be prosecuted under German law, meaning that with Mr. Lubitz dead, prosecutors must establish whether he alone was responsible for the crash. On Thursday, a French public prosecutor formally opened a criminal inquiry into whether Germanwings; its parent company, Lufthansa; or any other individuals should bear responsibility for the crash.Unlike in France, where charges can be brought against a company, only individuals can be prosecuted under German law, meaning that with Mr. Lubitz dead, prosecutors must establish whether he alone was responsible for the crash. On Thursday, a French public prosecutor formally opened a criminal inquiry into whether Germanwings; its parent company, Lufthansa; or any other individuals should bear responsibility for the crash.
Although the two countries are cooperating, the two investigations are proceeding independently.Although the two countries are cooperating, the two investigations are proceeding independently.
Early in the investigation, German prosecutors said that Mr. Lubitz was treated for a depressive episode in 2009 that led him to withdraw from Lufthansa’s elite flight-training school for 11 months for treatment. But he was reinstated after a company doctor found him fit to return to the cockpit, and he was ultimately hired by Germanwings in 2013.Early in the investigation, German prosecutors said that Mr. Lubitz was treated for a depressive episode in 2009 that led him to withdraw from Lufthansa’s elite flight-training school for 11 months for treatment. But he was reinstated after a company doctor found him fit to return to the cockpit, and he was ultimately hired by Germanwings in 2013.
Mr. Kumpa, the prosecutor, said medical records indicated that after his treatment, Mr. Lubitz did not appear to suffer any further illness until late last year. On Dec. 23, he visited an ophthalmologist in Düsseldorf complaining that he had begun seeing small black specks known as floaters, prosecutors said. Although the problem is not uncommon and normally resolves itself without treatment, Mr. Lubitz grew nervous and began visiting more eye doctors and specialists from the region’s top research clinics.Mr. Kumpa, the prosecutor, said medical records indicated that after his treatment, Mr. Lubitz did not appear to suffer any further illness until late last year. On Dec. 23, he visited an ophthalmologist in Düsseldorf complaining that he had begun seeing small black specks known as floaters, prosecutors said. Although the problem is not uncommon and normally resolves itself without treatment, Mr. Lubitz grew nervous and began visiting more eye doctors and specialists from the region’s top research clinics.
By the time of the crash Mr. Lubitz had seen 46 doctors, from general practitioners to leading optometrists to neurologists. But despite this frantic search for a solution to the problem, at no point does the evidence gathered so far show that he was ever diagnosed as seriously ill, Mr. Kumpa said.By the time of the crash Mr. Lubitz had seen 46 doctors, from general practitioners to leading optometrists to neurologists. But despite this frantic search for a solution to the problem, at no point does the evidence gathered so far show that he was ever diagnosed as seriously ill, Mr. Kumpa said.
Neither his parents, with whom he spent a “harmonious” sightseeing trip to Berlin two weeks before the crash, nor his girlfriend, with whom he shared a top-story apartment in an elegant building on the edge of Düsseldorf, had any indication of the extent of his psychological troubles, prosecutors said.Neither his parents, with whom he spent a “harmonious” sightseeing trip to Berlin two weeks before the crash, nor his girlfriend, with whom he shared a top-story apartment in an elegant building on the edge of Düsseldorf, had any indication of the extent of his psychological troubles, prosecutors said.
Although he had told his parents and girlfriend of his concern about his eyesight, he gave no indication that he was seriously considering ending his life.Although he had told his parents and girlfriend of his concern about his eyesight, he gave no indication that he was seriously considering ending his life.
None of the medical specialists he visited saw any indication of suicidal tendencies, Mr. Kumpa said.None of the medical specialists he visited saw any indication of suicidal tendencies, Mr. Kumpa said.
Mr. Lubitz’s Internet search history indicates that his distress intensified in mid-March. He went on sick leave from March 13 to 22, supplying his employer with a note from a general practitioner that included a vague diagnosis of visual impairment of an “unknown origin.” A second note from a different doctor — this time a psychologist — valid for the day of the crash, was never submitted to Germanwings.Mr. Lubitz’s Internet search history indicates that his distress intensified in mid-March. He went on sick leave from March 13 to 22, supplying his employer with a note from a general practitioner that included a vague diagnosis of visual impairment of an “unknown origin.” A second note from a different doctor — this time a psychologist — valid for the day of the crash, was never submitted to Germanwings.
During his leave, Mr. Lubitz spent considerable time online. On March 18, he conducted 67 separate searches over the course of six hours. The searches that day included information on various poisons and deadly drug cocktails, as well as treatments for vision problems.During his leave, Mr. Lubitz spent considerable time online. On March 18, he conducted 67 separate searches over the course of six hours. The searches that day included information on various poisons and deadly drug cocktails, as well as treatments for vision problems.