Germanwings crash investigators push for tighter mental health regulations

Germanwings crash memorial
(Image credit: Boris Horvat/AFP/Getty Images)

Nearly one year after Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz intentionally crashed a jet into the French Alps, killing 150 people, investigators revealed a doctor had referred Lubitz to a psychiatric clinic just two weeks before the crash, but Lubitz didn't pass on the warnings, The Associated Press reports. He also had a history of being treated for depression and suicidal tendencies.

Investigators urged global aviation officials Sunday to draft new rules requiring doctors to alert authorities when a pilot's mental health could endanger public safety.

"The reluctance of pilots to declare their problems and seek medical assistance ... needs to be addressed," said the French bureau overseeing the investigation.

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Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.