Andreas Lubitz: From avid teen flyer to mass murderer (video)

Depression, eyesight problems and pregnant girlfriend were three things troubling Andreas Lubitz on that last flight

Haunting video footage of Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz enjoying a flying lesson in a glider has come to light. The video shows the pilot responsible for the Germanwings Airbus murder-suicide laughing as he takes off and lands solo. He is believed to have been in his late teens during the recording obtained by ITV news.

Lubitz started his commedrcial pilot’s training at the age of 20 in 2007. He was 27 when he slammed the plane en route from Barcelona to Dusseldorf into the French Alps. All 150 people, including Lubitz, died on the flight. Prominent Greek-German forensic scientist Professor Michael Tsokos said that Lubitz remains were found among the 600 body parts. He said that 95% of the victims will have been identified within three weeks.

The police searching Lubitz’s home found torn-up notes, including one relating to the date of the crash, that stated that he was unfit to fly. Investigators are looking into three main areas:

(a) depression that could have compromised his fitness to fly;
(b) problems with his eyesight that could have caused an end to his flying career;
(c) personal problems with Kathrin Goldbach who was pregnant with his child.

Prosecutors claim that Lubitz, a man who feared failure more than death, had hidden his illness from his employer and colleagues.