Latest news with #Flight9525
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Business Standard
16-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
No immediate action needed from Boeing after AI171 crash report: IATA chief
There is no need for Boeing to take immediate action following the AI171 preliminary crash report, and any required modifications can be considered after the full investigation and formal recommendations are issued, said William M Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), on Wednesday, while praising the Indian government for releasing a detailed and timely preliminary report. Global airlines body IATA has over 350 carriers, spread across 120 countries, as its members. Walsh, during a media roundtable in Singapore, supported the idea of video recording inside cockpits, noting that such footage could prove immensely helpful to accident investigators. Speaking as a former pilot, he admitted pilot resistance to cockpit video surveillance but said modern cockpit isolation demands reconsideration. 'A video recording in addition to the voice recording would significantly assist the investigators,' he remarked, calling it a strong argument. The AI171 crash investigation has now entered its second phase, as global aviation stakeholders continue to track the case closely. The June 12 disaster claimed 241 lives onboard and 19 on the ground, after the Boeing 787 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. The preliminary report released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 12 revealed that both fuel control switches had moved to off seconds after lift-off, but did not explain why. On the topic of pilot mental health, Walsh emphasised that aviation already includes psychological evaluations during pilot selection and regular medical assessments. 'Mental health is a global issue, not unique to pilots,' he said. Referring to the Germanwings tragedy in 2015, he said the industry has since taken additional steps and must continue improving. 'We need to do everything to enhance safety,' he added. He was referring to the 2015 Germanwings Flight 9525 tragedy, where co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed an Airbus A320 into the French Alps, killing all 150 on board — 144 passengers and six crew members. Lubitz had been treated for suicidal tendencies and was declared unfit to fly by his doctor, but the pilot withheld this information from the airline. Walsh strongly backed the Indian authorities for releasing a detailed preliminary report on schedule. 'I commend the Indian government and the AAIB for the release of the preliminary report. It was more detailed than most people were expecting. No formal recommendations have been made to Boeing or GE so far, and I think it has been properly handled,' he said. Asked whether Boeing should proactively modify its aircraft or components in light of the findings, Walsh cautioned against premature conclusions. 'No, I don't think so. I think what we'll do is wait for the final report. I wouldn't speculate on what will happen. It's important to allow the investigators to do a full and proper job,' he said. Walsh's remarks align with the positions taken by regulators in the US and UK, both of whom have stated there is no technical concern requiring action on Boeing aircraft. The US Federal Aviation Administration and the UK Civil Aviation Authority have ruled out mandatory inspections, even as India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and South Korea's transport ministry have ordered checks of fuel control switches on Boeing jets following the AI171 preliminary report. He noted that some airlines have independently decided to inspect the fuel cut-off switches, something he called a sensible step. However, he stressed that neither IATA nor regulators have issued a mandate for action so far. 'Let's wait for the final report, which will go into all aspects of the accident and consider any recommendations, if necessary,' he said. On the topic of cockpit cameras, Walsh reflected on how the cockpit environment has changed post-9/11. 'When I started flying, the cockpit door was open, and visitors could come in. That transparency is gone now. With the door locked, it's a more isolated space. I understand pilots' concerns, but given what we know, a video recording could be a valuable tool,' he said. The sensitive topic of pilot mental health was also addressed directly. Walsh said psychological well-being has always been a focus of pilot assessments. 'We've done medical exams every 6 or 12 months, and psychological screening is part of the selection process. After the Germanwings crash, the industry has done a lot more in this area,' he said.


Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Possibility of pilot error not to impact compensation for Air India Dreamliner crash victims
Compensation for the victims of the Air India 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad a month ago will not be affected by the possibility of pilot error, according to industry experts. Both the airline and the families of those who died in the crash are generally entitled to compensation, even when pilot error is involved. In fact, the compensation amount could potentially increase if negligence by maintenance staff or technicians is established, sources said. The exact compensation and legal proceedings vary depending on the jurisdiction and whether the flight was domestic or international. Airlines typically maintain liability insurance that covers passengers or their families in the event of injury or death, regardless of whether the cause is pilot error, mechanical failure, or other factors like pilot suicide. An insurance official explained that pilot error generally does not influence passenger compensation, which is largely governed by international or national aviation laws and the airline's own policies. Under the Montreal Convention, applicable to most international flights, airlines are strictly liable for damages up to a certain threshold –currently around SDR 128,821 or approximately Rs 1.50 crore per passenger — and can be held liable for higher amounts if negligence, including pilot error, is proven. Even if a crash happens due to suicide by the pilot, compensation won't be impacted. If an insurer can establish gross negligence or deliberate concealment by the airline such as knowingly permitting a mentally unfit pilot to operate a flight, it may challenge or reduce the payout to the airline. However, compensation to passengers or their families is generally safeguarded and not affected in such circumstances. Chetan Kashyap, Head- Aviation and Speciality Lines, Prudent Insurance Brokers, said, 'a Hull 'all-risks' policy is a policy that covers all risks with 'named' exclusions. Pilot error, if any, is not an exclusion to it and hence insurance payout remains unchanged. Even machinery failure or system failure is not excluded under the policy wherein the only difference is right of subrogation which gets passed on to insurers in such case against the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) but overall insurance payout remains unaffected. Also, in this case passengers or third-party claimants can also claim damages from OEM for failure of parts.' According to Hari Radhakrishnan, Expert with the Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI), Air India will get compensation for the loss of aircraft and passenger liability even if there was pilot error. 'Too early to say this, but even if it was pilot suicide and deliberately crashed, the insurance would pay. Insurers paid claims for Germanwings Flight 9525 crash in 2015 that killed 150 people, where the copilot locked out the captain from the cockpit and flew the plane into a mountain,' Radhakrishnan said. For domestic flights within India, compensation is governed by national regulations such as the Carriage by Air Act and guidelines set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which ensure that passengers or their families are compensated regardless of who is at fault. In cases where foreign nationals are among the deceased, families have the option to file claims in jurisdictions such as the country of the carrier, the place where the ticket was purchased, or the home country of the victim. Since nationals from Britain, Canada, and Portugal were among the victims, legal proceedings in international courts are likely. For Air India, both hull and liability insurance are expected to cover the damages. These policies typically include coverage for the loss of the aircraft (hull loss), passenger liability, and third-party liability. Pilot error is also covered under standard aviation insurance policies unless gross negligence or intentional misconduct is proven, which remains rare and difficult to establish. If the pilot is perished in the crash, his/ her family could still receive compensation from the airline's group life insurance and any personal accident insurance policies, unless there was a violation of policy terms such as flying under the influence, said a source. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 1 crore to the next of kin of all passengers who died in the crash. Families of people who died on the ground will also be eligible for this Rs 1 crore compensation, and the company has stated it will cover medical expenses for those who were injured. According to insurance industry sources, the crash is expected to result in total claims of around Rs 4,000 crore (approximately $470 million), making it one of the most significant insurance events involving an aircraft accident. The aircraft hull alone is estimated to cost insurers and reinsurers about $80 million, with the engines valued at an additional $45 million. Liability claims related to passenger deaths are expected to reach approximately $350 million, though the final amount may vary depending on the number and nature of claims filed and the jurisdictions involved.


Irish Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Cold' four final words before pilot flew plane into mountain killing all
A heart-rending documentary on the catastrophe of Germanwings Flight 9525 was released on Sky last month. The passenger aircraft met with disaster over the French Alps on March 24, 2015, soon after setting off from Barcelona, Spain, en route to Dusseldorf in Germany, resulting in the loss of all 150 people aboard. What was meant to be a regular trip for those on board turned tragic an hour into the flight when it crashed in the French Alps at 430mph. An immediate investigation, which included extracting data from the black box, disclosed that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz intentionally caused the crash. The harrowing event prompted major changes to regulations concerning pilots being alone in the cockpit to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring. Flight 9525 had a scheduled departure time of 10 am local time, with its final correspondence with air traffic control occurring 30 minutes later. A critical moment took place when Captain Patrick Sondenheimer left the cockpit for the toilet, when Lubitz seized the opportunity to lock him out. The chilling final words captured by the cockpit voice recorder were Lubitz's to his captain: "You can go now." Before leaving Lubitz in charge, Sondenheimer informed him he would handle the radio communications. Approximately 28 minutes into their journey, the sound of the cockpit door closing is audible, reports the Daily Record. At this juncture, Lubitz altered Flight 9525's altitude from 38,000 feet to a mere 100 feet, initiating a descent into the mountains and disregarding communication attempts from air traffic control as the plane plummeted towards the ground. The co-pilot maintained his silence for the remainder of the flight, while Sondenheimer can be heard pounding on the cockpit door in a desperate attempt to regain entry. However, the captain's efforts proved futile as Lubitz had also bypassed the emergency access codes that would have allowed the flight crew to enter the cockpit. This left him alone at the helm, with complete control over the aircraft. As Sondenheimer's desperation escalated, he can be heard shouting, 'open the damn door' whilst continuing his attempts to break down the door. In the final moments captured on the recording, passengers' screams can be heard just before Flight 9525 crashes into the mountainside. This chilling sound suggests that many were oblivious to the impending disaster until the very last moment. In the wake of the crash, it emerged that Lubitz had been battling severe depression and had shown signs of suicidal tendencies. He had been deemed unfit to fly by his doctor, but this crucial information had been concealed from his employer. Following the incident, there was increased discussion around medical confidentiality, leading to the implementation of new policies within the aviation industry to address pilot mental health. A former girlfriend of Lubitz provided a haunting perspective on the pilot, recounting to a German paper his ominous words: "One day I will do something that will change the whole system, and then all will know my name and remember it. I never knew what he meant, but now it makes sense." The family of Lubitz firmly dismissed the conclusive investigation regarding the crash's cause, contesting that it wasn't suicide. They suggested that instead of taking his own life, he had lost consciousness before Flight 9525 met its tragic end.


Daily Record
28-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Four horrifying last words uttered by pilot before crashing plane into mountain and killing all on board
It was a horrific air crash that shocked the world — a pilot who suffered from severe depression locking himself in the cockpit before crashing the plane and killing all on board A Sky documentary released last month examined the heart-breaking disaster of Germanwings Flight 9525. The passenger plane crashed into the French Alps March 24, 2015 after leaving Barcelona, Spain destined for Dusseldorf in Germany, killing all on board. The flight was supposed to be a routine journey for the 150 people on board but an hour after take-off, the flight had crashed into the French Alps at a speed of 430mph. An investigation was soon undertaken including the retrieval of the aircraft's black box which found that the crash had been a result of deliberate action by co-pilot Andreas Lubitz. This led to an overhaul of rules regarding pilots being in the cockpit alone in a bid to stop the terrible incident from being repeated. Flight 9525 took off at 10am local time, with its last interaction with air traffic control coming half an hour afterwards. It was around this time when Captain Patrick Sondenheimer exited the cockpit to use the lavatory and Lubitz locked the door, barring his entry back in. The last words recorded on the plane's flight recorder was Lubitz telling his captain: "You can go now." As Sondenheimer left the cockpit to use the lavatory, he informed Lubitz he is in control of radio communications. At around 28 minutes into the flight, the door can then be heard closing. It's at this point that Lubitz changed Flight 9525's altitude from 38,000 feet to 100 feet before beginning a descent into the mountains and ignored attempts at communication from air traffic control as the plane descends towards the ground. The co-pilot remained silent for the rest of the flight while Sondenheimer can be heard banging on the door desperate to get back into the cockpit. But efforts from the plane's captain were fruitless because Lubitz had also overridden the emergency access codes which would have given the flight crew access to the cockpit. This meant he was alone in the command centre and in full control of the aircraft. As Sondenheimer grew increasingly frantic, he can be heard yelling, 'open the damn door' while he continues to try and break it down. In the final moments of the recording, passengers can be heard screaming just before Flight 9525 slams into the mountainside. This harrowing sound seems to show many of them were not aware of what was happening until the last minute. In the aftermath of the crash, it was revealed Lubitz had suffered from severe depression and also had displayed suicidal tendencies. He had been declared unfit to fly by his doctor but this information had been hidden from his employer. After the incident, there was more conversation around medical confidence new policies were implemented in the aviation industry to address pilot mental health. A former girlfriend of Lubitz offered chilling insight into the pilot after she recalled something he said before the crash. She told a German newspaper: "One day I will do something that will change the whole system, and then all will know my name and remember it. I never knew what he meant, but now it makes sense." Lubitz's family staunchly rejected the final report into the cause of the crash and denied that it was suicide. They claimed instead he'd fallen unconscious prior to Flight 9525's crash.


Wales Online
07-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Germanwings Flight 9525 crash led to new safety rule still used by major airlines today
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Sky Documentaries is set to revisit the heart-wrenching Germanwings flight that crashed into the French Alps in 2015, claiming all lives on board. The ill-fated Flight 9525 was en route from Barcelona to Dusseldorf on March 24, when co-pilot Andreas Lubitz locked himself in the cockpit and deliberately plunged the plane into the Alps. The flight's captain, Patrick Sonderheimer, had reportedly taken a toilet break and was unable to persuade Lubitz to open the door in the crucial minutes leading up to the crash. Subsequent investigations revealed that Lubitz had previously undergone psychiatric treatment and had struggled with suicidal thoughts. Prosecutors also found that his internet searches included inquiries about the most effective methods of suicide, reports the Manchester Evening News. A decade after this devastating incident, viewers will be keen to understand what measures have been implemented to enhance flight safety. (Image: Ministere de l'Interieur/Getty Images) In response to the tragedy, Lufthansa, the parent company of Germanwings, introduced a rule requiring two crew members to be present in the cockpit at all times. Other airlines, including EasyJet, followed suit by implementing similar policies. This safety protocol was already in place in the United States, and some European airlines such as Ryanair had comparable procedures. In 2017, the German Aviation Association (BDL) concluded that airlines were no longer obligated to follow the two-person cockpit rule. They asserted that it did not enhance flight safety and could present additional hazards, such as preventing cabin crew from assisting passengers in emergencies. (Image:) The announcement by the BDL followed a year after the European Aviation Safety Agency softened its stance on the rule, advising airlines to apply the policy depending on individual circumstances. Despite the lack of requirement, many carriers still adhere to the protocol. The new Sky documentary set to broadcast tonight (May 7), offers an in-depth analysis into what transpired before the catastrophic event, with journalistic and expert insights revealing the details. According to the official synopsis: "In 2015, Germanwings Flight 9525 crashed in the French Alps, killing 150 passengers and crew members. A decade later, survivors, experts and journalists have their say." Germanwings: What Happened on Flight 9525? airs tonight at 9pm on Sky Documentaries