German Wings A320 crashed

Suicide or attempted suicide by aircraft is nothing new. It has happened 3 times in US airspace with commercial airliners, most recently MSR990 off the coast of ACK in 1999. I wouldn't be worried about losing my job to a machine over this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_by_pilot
Uh...why the hell is PSA1771 on that list? The pilots were SHOT by a fired customer service agent who bypassed security and snuck a gun onboard. Pilot suicide? Nope...I edited it out.
 
The copilot took time off from training 6 years ago to treat depression

http://heavy.com/news/2015/03/andre...nwings-flight-4u9525-plane-crash-french-alps/
Screen Shot 2015-03-26 at 1123.16.png


Oh, laaaaawrd. At least 90% of U.S. registered pilots are listed by "Aviation Business Gazette" as "FAA Recognizes XXXX for setting positive example".

Even Grumpy McGrumpter First Officer from stories of lore is listed as "setting a positive example".
 
Uh...why the hell is PSA1771 on that list? The pilots were SHOT by a fired customer service agent who bypassed security and snuck a gun onboard. Pilot suicide? Nope...I edited it out.
PSA should absolutely be on that list, don't expect that edit to last. Disgruntled airline employee flies plane into the ground. Doesn't matter if he was a crew member or not. Same as the FDX incident, that one just had a better outcome.
 
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The copilot took time off from training 6 years ago to treat depression

http://heavy.com/news/2015/03/andre...nwings-flight-4u9525-plane-crash-french-alps/

Crazy how the pieces of this puzzle are coming together.

As another poster precisely noticed, hardly anyone bat an eye when thus exact scenario happened to LAM Mozambique, or similar but not deadly hijacking by Co pilot of Ethiopian Airlines. But since it's happened in a First World Nation now everyone is up in arms. Interesting.

Solution? I don't think anyone should be left in a Flight Deck by themselves. Two crew members at all times.
 
Honest question:

Can't a crew member access the cockpit from the outside with the cockpit key? Or is there a "deadbolt" of some kind on the inside that prevents it from being unlocked from the outside?

Not sure if there is a deadbolt on the Airbus or not, but I haven't heard this issue brought up yet. I know if I was locked out of the cockpit on the ERJ my first reaction would be to whip out my cockpit key and unlock it from the outside.
 
Honest question:

Can't a crew member access the cockpit from the outside with the cockpit key? Or is there a "deadbolt" of some kind on the inside that prevents it from being unlocked from the outside?

I believe there is an override code that can open it from the outside on the A320. It has a few locking mechanisms.

heres-how-airbus-cockpit-doors-work--and-why-the-germanwings-co-pilot-was-able-to-lock-out-the-captain.jpg
 
Honest question:

Can't a crew member access the cockpit from the outside with the cockpit key? Or is there a "deadbolt" of some kind on the inside that prevents it from being unlocked from the outside?

Not sure if there is a deadbolt on the Airbus or not, but I haven't heard this issue brought up yet. I know if I was locked out of the cockpit on the ERJ my first reaction would be to whip out my cockpit key and unlock it from the outside.

We didn't have a key on the ERJ when I was there....

On the bus the cockpit has ultimate control in multiple ways.
 
I believe there is a code that can open it from the outside on the A320.

That's in the case of incapacitation....

Would you want a scenario where Jonnny Jihad has a knife to the FA telling her to open the door or else? Cockpit has ultimate control.
 
My friend was saying word in Europe is the knee jerk reaction of no longer allowing pilots to be left alone in the cockpit. When a pilot needs to leave, an FA will come and remain in the cockpit. It all seems very silly, he could *redacted*, he could *redacted* and the FA would be clueless, but it wouldn't prevent a crash as any pilot could *redacted* feet and it would be all over with or without a babysitting FA.
 
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Crazy how the pieces of this puzzle are coming together.

As another poster precisely noticed, hardly anyone bat an eye when thus exact scenario happened to LAM Mozambique, or similar but not deadly hijacking by Co pilot of Ethiopian Airlines. But since it's happened in a First World Nation now everyone is up in arms. Interesting.

Solution? I don't think anyone should be left in a Flight Deck by themselves. Two crew members at all times.

Not only two crew but when feasible the inflight standing by the door. No point in having the FA sitting there if the pilot can just attack her. Need them in a position to open the door easily. Sure have them sit in MOD turn.
 
While I totally sympathize with those who decide to kill themselves because of depression or other struggles I have zero patience for murderers. Others have alluded to it in earlier posts, but there is no excuse for killing 150 other people if you intend to take your own life! What makes it even more upsetting for is that the media and others are quick to sympathize with a murderous suicidal person if they happen to be young, vibrant, and i hate to say it...Caucasian. Some in the media. for example were quick to excuse the monster who shot up a movie theater in Aurora CO as being under psychological stress. Or the lunatic who shot up the place in Norway, a few years back. This kind of benefit of doubt is never afforded to murderous minorities. If this pilot's name was Mohammed or some other exotic name, I wonder how many would even entertain sympathizing with his action. P.S not directly in response to any thing said here. Just a general rant.

I might get me some kick back, but here goes. I work in the State Mental Health Hospital system. And while all people regardless of color or creed are susceptible to mental illness, the numbers of whites leads by a large percentage. On the civil side of the hospital, we have long-term civil commitment and also short term in-patient treatment. Most if not all of the cases of depression, drugs, suicide and anxiety disorders related admissions are again majority white.

I see admissions for people who are depressed/emotional/suicidal related issues because they're fat, or someone called them a name and they felt bad. The boy or girl that they liked doesn't like them. They were teased, bullied, or on drugs now as a coping skill. I could go on, with many other examples. I won't trivialize their right to feel that way, as its their right to feel the way that they do. But I just don't see too many minorities being admitted for 7-10 day stays for observation or med stabilization for those same reasons. I can't say with fact, but based upon what I see daily white people *might* not be able to handle stress as well as minorities. Maybe it's because whites are the majority, and are used to having things handed to them easier, because of their skin color. And minorities are used to being discriminated against, and having to work harder for things white people might attain easier, or take for granted.
Maybe that makes them tougher in situations (shrugs shoulders). Again, not sure. Or maybe they (minorities) just accept their lower rung on the ladder (learned behavior) and are used to it and give up.

I thought that the issue might be socio-economic. Working for the state most of our in-patient admissions are poor individuals on welfare. But my friend works at a private care (read $$$ psychiatric facility for rich (white) people). And he says that what I see is even worse at his place. Lot's of entitlement related admissions. Mommy and daddy don't love me, so I'll show you. I'll force you to see me and acknowledge me. Via negative/dangerous behavior patterns for attention. AKA poor little rich girl/boy syndrome.

I still remember a conversation I once had with this Latino kid at my last job. He said and I quote: "This white m-f over here soft, he here cause the bitch he like ain't like him. So he tried to kill himself. F-k what is wrong with white people? Man I ain't gonna hurt myself over a f-king bitch. I just go and f-k another bitch, or her friends. Don't f-king whine about it and kill yourself over a bitch.

A black kid also asked me. "Why do white m-f's shoot up schools cause they got picked on or got their feelings hurt. If you a p**sy, if you let that s**t happen, then you deserve it. If you a man you gonna handle yo s**t outside or after school. You ain't gonna let no m-f disrespect you. Not shoot up the whole m-fing school. School shootings are a white thing, n***ga's don't be doing that s**t.

A white kid chimed in and said at least I don't have to rob and kill m-fers for Jordans. My parents will just buy them for me. So... yeah perspective.

Dunno. Just observations based on admissions/statistics that I see daily at work. Are they right, do they speak for a whole race? Or are these cases of individuals? I dunno. Do I believe it? I don't know. But I do see it A LOT!
 

All very true. At the end of the day if someone has a strong desire to kill themselves and doesn't fear death any longer, it is difficult to defend against.

The scenario you gave is true. On final at 300' if the other pilot all of a sudden applies full forward controls with all their might, there's little the other pilot could do, it would be utter confusion for the other pilot. Mechanical? WTF?!

At least at altitude you have a chance...Let's say this guy shuts down both engines and throws the spoilers....At least you'd have 5+ minutes of a glider to rectify the situation. Same with depressurization.....He can't command a rapid decompressurization. 2 is definitely better than one up front. It gives you a fighting chance.
 
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Reactions are already starting and being implemented.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/new-cockpit-policy-for-air-canada-1.2298727

Following the fatal Germanwings crash, Air Canada has announced it will be implementing a policy change requiring two crew members to be in the cockpit of all flights at all times.

The company confirmed to CTV News Thursday that it will be implementing the policy change "without delay."

Other airlines that also announced they’d be adopting the policy include Air Transat and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
 
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