Germanwings flight 4U 9525, an Airbus A320 carrying 150 people from Barcelona, Spain, to Duesseldorf, Germany, was deliberately crashed into the French Alps by co-pilot Andreas Lubitz on March 24, 2015, according to a BBC report. The disaster claimed the lives of all 150 people in the pesawat, which terdiri atas 144 penumpang dan 4 kru kabin, including captain Patrick Sonderheimer and the co-pilot.
How the Tragedy Unfolded in the Cockpit
The aircraft had taken off from Barcelona and climbed to an altitude of 38,000 feet within half an hour, maintaining routine contact with air traffic control. According to the BBC, captain Patrick Sonderheimer left the cockpit briefly to use the toilet, handing full control to co-pilot Andreas Lubitz. Once alone, Lubitz locked the door from the inside to block the captain’s return.
Lubitz manually altered the autopilot settings, shifting the target altitude from 38,000 feet down to just 100 feet. The aircraft initiated a rapid descent that lasted nearly 10 minutes. French air traffic control and air defense units attempted repeated radio contacts, receiving no response. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured loud banging on the door, shouting from the captain trying to break back in, and automated warning alarms instructing the crew to “pull up.” Lubitz remained completely silent throughout, though his steady breathing was audible until the final impact against the mountain slope.
International Toll and Passenger Demographics
The impact destroyed the aircraft completely, leaving no survivors among the 150 occupants. According to official data cited by the BBC, the victims included 72 German nationals—among them 16 school children returning home—and 51 Spanish citizens. The remaining passengers and crew hailed from countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina, the United States, Japan, Colombia, and the Netherlands.
Did you know?
The flight data recorder (FDR) revealed that Lubitz had apparently practiced a rapid descent earlier that same day on the flight rute sebaliknya (Duesseldorf to Barcelona) while the captain was out of the cockpit.
Investigation Into the Co-Pilot’s Background
Investigators uncovered medical records showing that Andreas Lubitz had previously received treatment for depression in April 2009, prior to obtaining his pilot’s license. According to police searches of his home, officers discovered antidepressant medication along with torn-up sick notes from a doctor covering the date of the crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airline operated flight 4U 9525?
The flight was operated by Germanwings.
How many people were killed in the crash?
A total of 150 people died, consisting of 144 passengers and 4 crew members, including Patrick Sonderheimer and the co-pilot Andreas Lubitz.
What caused the Airbus A320 to descend?
According to flight data and cockpit voice recorder evidence reported by the BBC, co-pilot Andreas Lubitz locked the cockpit door and manually changed the autopilot settings to dive the aircraft.
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