German plane co-pilot has vision problems

Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot of the Germanwings plane that crashed into a mountain, had sought treatment for a vision problem that could have ruined his dream of becoming a pilot.

Co-pilot Andreas Lubitz in a running competition. Photo: Reuters

The New York Times quoted two officials familiar with the investigation into the Germanwings crash as revealing the information today. The 28-year-old German co-pilot is also said to be undergoing psychological treatment and has hidden his condition from the company.

It is unclear how serious Andreas's eye problem was or whether it was related to his mental health. A person familiar with the investigation said authorities were not ruling out the possibility that the vision problem could have been a contributing factor to his mental health.

Friends and acquaintances of Andreas knew how seriously he took flying. He started flying gliders at a flying club in his hometown when he was just 14.

Police found doctor’s notes at Andreas’s apartment in Dusseldorf, Germany, stating that he was unfit for work on the day of the accident. One of the notes was torn up and thrown in the trash, leading investigators to suspect that he had deliberately concealed his illness. It is also possible that Andreas did not tell Germanwings about his eye problems.

Dusseldorf University Hospital said in a statement yesterday that Andreas had visited the hospital in February and most recently on March 10. However, they did not say whether he had been treated for eye problems or depression.

Although he works for a commercial airline, Andreas is a first officer and doesn't get to fly the long hauls he longs for.

Break up with girlfriend before plane crash

Andreas' ex-girlfriend Maria W flew with him on European flights for five months last year, when their relationship was still going strong.

"If Andreas deliberately crashed the plane, it was because he understood that with his health condition, his big dream of a job at Lufthansa, as a captain and a long-haul pilot, was practically impossible," she said, referring to Germanwings' parent company.

French TV channel iTELE revealed that Andreas and Maria lived together in an apartment in Dusseldorf. They had been in a relationship for seven years and were planning to get married next year. However, Maria broke up with Andreas the day before the accident.

Andreas bought two new Audi cars for himself and his girlfriend a few weeks ago but has only just taken delivery of one, German magazine Focus reported.

The owner of the pizza shop near Andreas's home described the two as a very affectionate couple.

"She was a polite and attractive girl," said Habibalah Hassani, 53. "They came here often, sometimes twice a week. He used to tip quite a bit."

A neighbor said Maria was distraught and was believed to be staying with family at a hotel. She is on a list of witnesses prosecutors plan to question.

According to VNE