Brussels, 27/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - European officials confirmed on Friday 27 March that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was looking at possible changes to air safety rules following the Germanwings Airbus crash in the south of France on 24 March (see EUROPE 11281).
“As we speak, there is work and reflection ongoing. We are now consulting with member states and industries”, the officials said. They stated that, among the main issues under discussion, were the rules on access to the cockpit and the number of crew members who should be in the cockpit during flight - issues of the greatest urgency as it would appear that the co-pilot of the Airbus locked himself in the cockpit and voluntarily crashed the plane. Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, cockpit doors have to be armoured and lockable from the inside. The EASA believes that this has been a positive step as it has brought a reduction in the number of accidents caused by intrusions into the cockpit by unauthorised persons. However, under European rules, the pilot or co-pilot may be left alone in the cockpit. The EASA published a “temporary” recommendation on this issue late in the afternoon of Friday 27 March, calling on all airlines to ensure that at least two members of crew are present in the cockpit at all times.
According to the above mentioned officials, there is no rule that prevents anyone who has suffered from depression from becoming a pilot: a certificate attesting to the person's physical and mental wellbeing is all that is required.
The officials made it clear that, whatever EASA's conclusions, it would not be able to do more than present them as recommendations. It hopes, however, that its worldwide reputation on security issues will see its recommendations become regulations. No timescale has been given: “We'll take action when it's clear what is needed”.
Manfred Weber (Germany), leader of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, has called for an ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) “technical rule requiring the presence of two people inside the cockpit”.
The European Cockpit Association (ECA) has said that it is “deeply disturbed” by the latest revelations of the crash investigation. Its members say they are “committed to making improvements to ensure flying becomes even safer than it has always been”. (Jean Comte)