German tabloid newspaper Bild has released what is claims is a summary of the timeline from downed Germanwings Flight 9525.
The timeline is based on the data recorded on one of the “black boxes” recovered from the wreckage. A transcript of the cockpit voice recording has not been released, and Bild cites sources close to the investigation for the information.
CNN translated Bild’s report but cannot independently verify the information. The timeline provides one of the most detailed descriptions of the plane’s final moments:
According to Bild:
• There are 1.5 hours of sound on the voice recorder.
• The flight took off 20 minutes late, and Capt. Patrick Sondenheimer apologizes for the delay and says they will try and make up for it in the air.
• Even before takeoff, the captain tells co-pilot Andreas Lubitz that he didn’t manage to go to the bathroom in Barcelona. Lubitz tells him he can go anytime.
• The plane reaches its cruising altitude of 38,000 feet at 10:27 a.m. local time.
• The captain asks the co-pilot to prepare the landing.
• After the check, Lubitz repeats to the captain, “You can go now.” There is the sound of a seat moving backward. After that, the captain is heard saying, “You can take over.”
• At 10:29 a.m., air traffic radar detects that the plane is beginning to descend.
• At 10:32 a.m., air traffic controllers contact the plane and receive no answer. Almost at the same time, an alarm goes off in the cockpit saying “sink rate.”
• Shortly after there is a loud bang on the door. The pilot can be heard screaming, “For God’s sake, open the door!” Passengers can be heard screaming in the background.
• At 10:35 a.m., loud metallic bangs can be heard as though someone is trying to knock down the door. The plane is at about 23,000 feet.
• Ninety seconds later, another alarm goes off: “Terrain — pull up!” The plane is at about 16,400 feet. The captain is heard screaming, “Open the damn door!”
• At 10:38 a.m., the plane is descending toward the French Alps, and the co-pilot can be heard breathing. The plane is at about 13,100 feet.
• At 10:40 a.m., it sounds like the plane’s right wing scrapes a mountaintop, then screams can be heard one more time. Those are the last sounds on the voice recorder.