On Tuesday, March 24, Germanwings flight 9525 crashed into the French Alps. All 150 people on board died upon impact. Despite the large number of deaths and even greater number of lives dramatically affected, conversation of the occurrence focuses on the cause of the accident, which is, for the most part, a mystery.
Speculations have arisen as to why a seemingly well-functioning plane met such a vicious end. The plane, an Airbus A320, appeared to mechanics to be running safely before flight. However, some suspect possible engine failure, a fire/smoke in the cockpit, or hypoxia situation created by a gradual decrease in pressurization. In each of these possible cases, the crew could have become distracted with the emergency procedures and lost awareness of the terrain. Recent findings suggest mechanical error probably did not occur. The cause of the crash has yet to be deciphered, though a series of professional investigations are underway.
These investigations have already led to some other opposing theories regarding the reasons of the plane crash, most revolving around Lubitz. The 27-year-old pilot is believed by some to have deliberately crashed the plane. Terrorism, suicide, bad vision? Countless theories fly around the Internet, stirring controversial debates ranging from topics of racism to the stringency of pilot regulations. A prominent idea held by a number of parties claims that because Lubitz is white, he is not seen as a terrorist. In response, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve stated that, while terrorism will not be ruled out as a possibility, current investigations suggest that it is not the most likely theory.
The concern of racial biases regarding association of race and terrorism should hold valid significance. Though the potential that Lubitz engaged in an act of terrorism is still publicly considered a possibility as a cause of the crash, the general consensus puts the possibility in a low position due to investigations into the pilot’s life.
Investigations into the young pilot’s background have revealed no connections to terrorist groups or previous radical actions. However, investigators reported that Lubitz did appear to complain to doctors about issues with vision and an increasing amount of stress from occupation. Doctors deemed the pilot unfit to fly, suggesting his eyesight problems were psychosomatic. Yet, the pilot did not relay this information to his supervisors. A recently released cockpit recording provides the audio evidence of Lubitz locking the captain out of the cabin, the captain banging on the door to get back inside, and the final crash and screaming. The collection of background and auditory data seems to suggest Lubitz was a troubled, depressed pilot who decided to end his life mid-flight. As of now, this theory is most widely accepted as to why the plane crashed.
Suicide is a delicate topic, and those suffering from depression face a disturbing, unfortunate mental disease that can be debilitating on a multitude of levels. For this reason, it surprises me that Germanwings does not appear to pay close enough attention to its pilots’ mental health. Frank Woiton, a fellow pilot, told a German television station that he did not see anything unusual in his colleague.
As is the nature with depression and other mental illnesses, outward appearances of the diseases can range from prominent to practically undetectable. The airline, at the very least, should have an open dialogue with its pilots’ physicians and psychologists to ensure those flying the planes are both mentally and physically healthy enough to carry passengers to their destinations safely.
If Lubitz did commit suicide, tragedy lies in the fact that he killed himself carrying 149 other human lives on his back. While most of the media’s emphasis after this devastating crash has been allotted to the causation, specifically Lubitz’s role, an alarmingly small amount of attention has been granted to the victims and their families.
Questions still revolve around causation. The evidence suggests a suicide, but other possibilities are still considered. Lubitz may have deliberately crashed into the Alps as an act of terrorism, though his background does not seem to affiliate the pilot with radical groups. A mechanical malfunction could have caused confusion and chaos, but the audio recordings suggest the plane went down without problems associated with the aircraft.
However, there were no questions revolving around the harsh facts of the crash. The deaths of the 150 passengers is all too real. In addition to portraying the debate and investigation around the cause of the crash, media should celebrate the lives and legacies of those 150 people who died when flight 9525 hit the Alps. Uncovering the mystery behind the crash should hold importance, but honoring those who died must also take precedence.