When we get on board an aircraft, few of us give a second thought to the mental health of the people in the cockpit. The crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 changed that. 150 people, including two Australians, were killed when their Airbus A320 crashed into the French Alps in 2015. Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz had long suffered from depression and had reportedly visited more than a dozen different doctors seeking help before he deliberately downed his plane.
In this investigation, Alex Cullen reveals it’s not the first time a suicidal pilot has committed mass murder and asks why lessons weren’t learned from previous deliberate crashes. This story originally aired in 2015. If this story has raised issues for you or you are concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact Beyond Blue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
