CVR Indicates Pounding On Cockpit Door, Shouting For It To Be Opened

Data retrieved from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) aboard the Germanwings Airbus A320 that went down in the French Alps indicates that the pilot had been locked out of the cockpit before the plane impacted terrain. 

The New York Times reports that a senior French military official involved in the investigation said that initially there had been a light knocking on the door, then more insistent knocking and shouting. Eventually, the captain was reportedly trying to break through the reinforced cockpit door.

There was apparently never any answer from the co-pilot still in the cockpit.

The official, who asked not to be named, said it was unclear why the pilot had left the cockpit, but "what is sure is that at the end of the flight, the other pilot is alone and does not open the door."

The plane impacted terrain with enough speed to cause it to disintegrate. All 149 people on board, including three Americans, were fatally injured.

The French Bureau of Investigations and Analyses  (BEA) would only confirm that there had been human voices captured by the CVR, but did not offer any details. "As soon as we have accurate information, we will hold a press conference," said bureau spokeswoman  Martine del Bono.

The chief Marseille prosecutor on the investigation said it was clear that the airplane was intentionally flown into the ground. Prosecutor Brice Robin said that it appeared the co-pilot's intention was "to destroy the aircraft."

Robin said that "human breathing" could be heard on the CVR up until the impact, "therefore, the pilot was alive."

The cockpit on an Airbus A320 can be locked from the inside in such a way that it disables the access keypad for five minutes, according to Airbus training information.

(Image provided by BEA)

FMI: www.bea.aero/en