Today's News, Tomorrow's Lesson - April 2, 2015

by Listen Current

On Tuesday, March 24, 2015, a German plane flying from Barcelona, Spain to Dusseldorf, Germany was crashed on purpose by Andres Lubitz, its 27-year-old co-pilot. All 150 people on board were killed. When the pilot went to the bathroom, Lubitz locked the cockpit and took the plane off auto-pilot, leading to a 8-minute direct descent into the mountainside. Authorities have uncovered evidence that helps know what happened but doesn’t explain why the co-pilot did it. Listen to learn how this tragedy is changing the airline industry.

Listen to the Story from NPR

Germanwings Co-Pilot Had History Of Depression, German Report Reveals

Listening Comprehension Questions:


1. Describe the last few minutes of the plane’s descent. What were both pilots doing?

2. What red flag have investigators found in the co-pilot’s flight training history?

3. Why are mandatory yearly psychological checks flawed?

4. What have investigators found in the co-pilot’s apartment that can help explain his actions?

5. How has this tragedy changed the airline industry so-far?

Classroom Discussion Themes


1. How can untreated mental illness lead to tragedy?

2. How can we better screen pilots?