Judge halts Germanwings crash lawsuit against US flight school
A US district judge has thrown out a lawsuit against the Arizona flight school where Germanwings pilot Andreas Lubitz trained and graduated as a pilot.
Lubitz was at the controls of the Germanwings plane that was deliberately crashed into the side of a French mountain two years ago.
Family members of the American victims argued the flight school, which was owned by Germanwings parent Lufthansa, was the ‘gatekeeper’ for Lubitz’s aviation career and at this time his mental health issues were already noticeable.
Marc Moller, an attorney for the plaintiffs said the flight school ‘had an obligation to investigate medical history and his trustworthiness’.
The complaint claimed Lubitz was already a suicide risk and showed signs of ‘psychological abnormalities, reactive depression and personality disorders’.
Lubitz had suspended his training for an extended period due to severe depression and was later cleared medically to continue the course.
Judge Diane Humetewa said the lawsuit had its merits but chose to halt it as the plaintiffs would be better served pursuing their case in Germany.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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