An alleged transcript of the Black Box recordings from Germanwings Flight 9525 confirms that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz refused to open the cockpit door for the pilot as reports circulate Lubitz suffered from depression.

Black Box Transcript Reveals Lubitz Encouraged Pilot To Leave Cockpit

German newspaper, Bild am Sonntag, published excerpts it claimed are from the black box transcript. Authorities have not yet commented on the authenticity of these alleged transcripts that cover the final 30-minutes of the doomed flight.

According to the troubling report, Lubitz repeatedly encouraged the pilot, Captain Patrick Sondheimer, to leave the cockpit to use the restroom, assuring Sondheimer that he was fit and ready to operate the plane on his own. As previously revealed, the black box recording confirms Sondheimer left his seat in the cockpit after the flight reached cruising altitude of 38,000 feet at about 10:29 am local time.

Once alone, Lubitz is believed to have programed the plane for descent and locked the cockpit door. According to the transcript report, at 10:32 am local time, Lubitz is heard receiving a call from air traffic control. Lubitz ignored the call. Soon after, banging on the door is heard, believed to be Captain Patrick Sondheimer hitting the door for entrance. It is then that passengers allegedly began to scream.

Lubitz is believed to have activated an emergency lock on the cockpit door that prevents any member of the crew to open the door for five minutes. Normally, a pilot or flight attendant can open the cockpit door using a special override code, unless someone in the cockpit activates the emergency lock.

At 10:35 am, more banging is heard, and at 10:37 am, the pilot is reportedly heard shouting, “Open the damn door!” The automatic alert warning Lubitz that the plane was about to hit the ground sounded, and also appears to have been ignored by Lubitz.

At 10:40 am, the transcript reportedly shows that passengers were screaming as the plane crashed into the mountains.

This report has been widely circulated; however, authorities have not confirmed this report of the events leading up to the crash.

Andreas Lubitz Was Previously Treated For Depression, Suicidal Tendencies

Meanwhile, reports continue to circulate on Lubitz’s health leading up to the flight. On Saturday, officials confirmed they had found various medications in Lubitz’s home, including antidepressants. Lubitz is believed to have suffered from depression and anxiety, and was once treated for suicidal thoughts. Authorities have not confirmed whether or not Lubitz was being treated for any psychological concerns at the time of the crash.

“A few years ago, the co-pilot had been in psychotherapeutic treatment with noted suicide risk over a long period before he gained his pilot license,” said Düsseldorf prosecutor Ralf Herrenbrück in a statement.

It was also revealed that in February, Lubitz sought medical treatment at Dusseldorf University Hospital with regards to an eyesight problem. A Dusseldorf clinic confirmed that Lubitz had been treated there twice, most recently on March 10, and stated that the co-pilot had not been treated for depression at their facility. The exact nature of Lubitz’s alleged eyesight problem is unknown, but a source told The New York Times, “authorities had not ruled out the possibility that the vision problem could have been psychosomatic.” And some reports have speculated that the problem could have brought an end to Lubitz’s career as a pilot.

Lufthansa requires their pilots to undergo medical evaluations once a year, and a spokesperson for the company assured the public that Lubitz had passed his last medical check. Outside of the annual medical check, pilots and other personnel are expected to self-report any health problems, including depression or other mental illnesses. Lubitz failed to report any health concerns to his employers.

The Lufthansa spokesperson added that they do not receive any details about their employees’ medical checks, saying, “The medical information we get from our pilots is the annual medical check, and it’s a yes or a no.”

Authorities have not confirmed whether or not the doctors’ notes found in Lubitz’s apartment excusing him from work on the day of the crash were in regards to his supposed vision problem or mental health.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.