Germanwings pilot Andreas Lubitz, whom prosecutors say flew a jetliner into a mountain in the French Alps on Tuesday, sought treatment for vision problems which may have been related to psychosomatic issues, the New York Times reported Saturday.
Authorities found that Lubitz, 27, hid aspects of psychological issues from his employer and have not ruled out the possibility that his vision problems were related and were concealed from his bosses.
Lubitz is accused of deliberately flying the Airbus A320 jetliner carrying 149 other people into the mountain. He locked the captain out of the cockpit. After the captain’s demands to be let in failed, he attempted to break down the cockpit door with an axe.
Police found doctors’ notes in Lubitz’s Düsseldorf apartment that said he was too ill to work, including one dated for the day of the crash.
The Düsseldorf University Hospital acknowled Lubitz was evaluated as recently as March 10 but denied speculation that he sought depression treatment. The hospital also would not comment on whether Lubitz sought treatment for his vision.
Those that knew Lubitz say he was reserved but friendly and had a passion for flying.
