Andreas Lubitz, the pilot who crashed Germanwings 9525, had been treated for suicidal tendencies. Washington Post.

A German spokesman for the prosecutors office talks to the media about the case. Washington Post/AFP/Getty.

The pilot who crashed Germanwings flight 9525 had been treated in the past for suicidal tendencies. Washington Post.  Andreas Lubitz had sought treatment from a psychotherapist before he became a pilot because he was suicidal. Lubitz also sought treatment much more recently for some kind of vision problem. He had gone to multiple doctors but none were able to find any source for his vision problem, even suggesting that it was psychosomatic in nature. Lubitz wrote that he felt that the vision problem could cause him to lose his job. No other possible motive has been found and officials theorize that the crash may have been a spur of the moment decision. A German newspaper released information from the black box recording that appeared to show that the planes pilot had attempted to break back in to the cockpit in order to stop the disaster. Officials are also questioning Lubitz's girlfriend to see if their relationship had any role in the crash.

My Comment:

I'm fairly skeptical that the vision problem was the real cause of this crash. I have not doubt that the vision issues Lubitz was experiencing had a huge impact on his life, and being forced out of his dream job could have made him suicidal, but it seems so unlikely that he would murder 149 other people over it. I guess it is possible, but I don't buy it. 

The investigation of his girlfriend might lead to more information. I suspect that if his relationship with her was on the rocks as well that might have been enough to push him over the edge. Losing your job can put a huge amount of stress on a relationship which in turn could lead to Lubitz becoming even more depressed, which could lead to worse job performance and could have been what was fueling his vision problem in the first place. It's also my opinion that people are more likely to snap over relationship issues then work issues, but a combination of the two is obviously much worse. 

Still, it just seems bizarre to me that someone would just decide to murder 149 other people over these issues. Clearly Lubitz was not in his right mind, but this doesn't seem like a spur of the moment kind of decision. From what I understand Lubitz was alone in the cockpit for at least 10 minutes, which would have given him plenty of time to reflect on what he was doing and change his mind. In my view that rules out anything but premeditation. I know that people commit suicide almost on a whim, but this just seems more like something he planned out. 

I also have to say that I'm afraid that this story might have some unintended side effects for people who are suicidal. When the biggest story in the news is about someone who was allegedly suicidal and killed 149 other people, it is possible that people will be afraid to get help due to the stigma. I think that most people know that suicidal and depressed people are rarely a threat to anyone besides themselves but I'm worried that view could change. It wouldn't be a rational viewpoint but prejudices and stereotypes rarely are. Indeed, suicide and mental health issues are taboo enough as it is, there is no need to make it any worse. 

Though I think suicide is a selfish action, seeking help is not at all, and is in fact admirable. People should never be discouraged from seeking help with major issues like depression and suicidal tendencies. The vast majority of depressed people will never act like Andreas Lubitz did, so we shouldn't act like they will. If you are reading this and feel suicidal, get help. 

All that being said, I think it is a very good thing that airlines are adjusting their polices in the wake of this tragedy. I seriously doubt that this would have happened if there had been another person in the cockpit with Lubitz. He probably wouldn't have even tried to do this if there had been someone there to talk him out of it or prevent him from crashing the plane. Though I think that this kind of suicide attack is rare it was not unpredictable. The "suicidal pilot" scenario may be repetitively new, but the "political/religious terrorist" scenario alone justified having two people in the cockpit at all times. If there is any good to come from this tragedy, that change in policy may be it.