'Depressed' Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz 'had 18 months of psychiatric help and was "unsuitable for flying"'

German newspaper Bild claimed the 28-year-old was treated for a 'serious depressive episode' during his Lufthansa training six years ago

New claims: Lubitz had 18 months of psychiatric help during his training, it was reported

The co-pilot who flew Germanwings Flight 4U9525 into the Alps had 18 months of psychiatric help for a 'serious depressive episode' while he was training, it was claimed today.

Andreas Lubitz, 28, locked his captain out of the cockpit during a toilet break and deliberately crashed the Airbus A320 on Tuesday, killing all 150 people on board.


Germany's biggest newspaper Bild claimed he received the treatment six years ago while he was training at Lufthansa's flying school - where he was classed as unsuitable for flying.

Bild made its claim based on Lufthansa sources and internal documents which it said will be passed to French investigators once they have been examined by German authorities.

A file at Germany’s Federal Aviation Agency allegedly noted that he was subject to special regular medical examination.

According to a translation by The Times, a source said: "During his training at Lufthansa Flight School, Andreas L was listed as unsuitable for flight duties because he spent one and a half years in psychological treatment and so he had to repeat courses.

"The reason was evidently depression".


The report has not been confirmed by the airline.

Fitness fanatic Lubitz had told friends that he took time off during his pilot training six years ago to battle depression.

One pal’s mum said: “Apparently he had a burn-out, he was in depression.”

Lufthansa, who own Germanwings, confirmed he took “several months” off but insisted he was cleared to fly again.

Boss Carsten Spohr said: “He took a break in his training six years ago. Then he did the tests, technical and psychological, again.

“And he was deemed 100% fit to fly without ­restrictions. I am not able to state the reasons why he took the break. He passed all medical exams.

"After he was cleared again, he resumed training. He passed all the subsequent tests and checks with flying colours.

"His flying abilities were flawless."




A Lufthansa spokesman said today the airline would not comment on the health of the pilot.

Lubitz's Facebook page - which has since been 'memorialised' - shows nothing immediately out of the ordinary.

It lists his interests including German electronica band Schiller, French superstar DJ David Guetta, his local Burger King, 10-pin bowling, aviation humour and a technical website about the A320 model of aircraft he flew into a mountainside.

Lubitz’s piano teacher mum and ­businessman dad only found out their son was responsible for the crash as they sat in a room near the scene at Seyne-les-Alpes.

They were said to be in “deep shock”. The grieving couple had gone to the site with other ­relatives of the dead from Germany and Spain.

Police examining Lubitz's Dusseldorf home and the home of his parents in Montabaur, Germany, reportedly said they made a "significant discovery" last night.


REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Investigation begins: Police removing evidence from Lubitz's parents' house

While the officers confirmed that the discovery was not a suicide note, they would not reveal any further details as this next stage of their investigation deepens.

Lubitz started his career as cabin crew with Lufthansa before becoming a pilot. He had obtained his glider pilot’s licence as a teenager.

Locals in Montabaur have been left ­horrified after hearing the popular figure was behind the crash that left so many, including two babies and 16 teenage pupils from the same school dead.

Peter Ruecker, a member of the gliding club where Lubitz flew, said: “He was happy he had the job with ­Germanwings and he was doing well. He gave off a good feeling.”

Investigators who listened to the doomed Germanwings Airbus 320’s voice recorder revealed the 28-year-old co-pilot never said a word before the jet plummeted 32,000ft into a mountain in the French Alps.


Nick Coles & Graham Hughes

Final moments: How the crash happened

And Captain Patrick Sonderheimer could be heard desperately pleading with Lubitzto let him back in the cockpit before trying in vain to smash his way in through a door which is reinforced to prevent terrorists getting in - and can only be unlocked from the inside.

But French prosecutor Brice Robin, who revealed chilling details of the packed jet’s final moments, said the 144 ­passengers on board the flight were unaware there was a problem until seconds before impact – then the cabin was filled with terrified screaming.

Three Brits died in the crash, including seven-month old Julian Pracz-Bandres. He was travelling with his Spanish mum Marina Bandres Lopez-Belio.