Germanwings CEO: Co-pilot trained in Arizona

Credit: STRINGER

Credit: STRINGER


There is a new, American connection to the deadly plane crash of Germanwings flight 9525.  The co-pilot who is accused of crashing the plane, killing all on board had flight training at an Arizona training facility.

A spokesperson told ABC News that Andreas Lubitz had some of his training at Airline Training Center, which is owned by Germanwings' parent company Lufthansa, KNXV reported.

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Lufthansa has other facilities in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, Good Morning America reported.

ATCA's website states that German pilots go through their initial flight training at the Arizona site. The training lasts over four months according to KNXV.

The BBC reported Lubitz had taking a break from his training six years ago, but restarted after "the suitability of the candidate was re-established."

Lubitz, who was 28-years-old, was cleared to fly without any warnings, Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa said.

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