The co-pilot of the Germanwings flight that authorities believe was deliberately crashed in the French Alps was certified by U.S. aviation officials.
The co-pilot, 28-year-old Andreas Guenter Lubitz, was granted status as an airman by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Jan. 6, 2012, according to the agency’s online database.
{mosads}French authorities have accused Lubitz of locking the captain of Germanwings Flight 9525 out of the cockpit and intentionally crashing the plane, killing all 150 people who were on board.
The FAA certification lists Lubitz as a “private pilot (foreign based)” who is cleared to fly single engine planes and gliders in the U.S..
“English proficient,” the document says. “Issued on basis of and valid only when accompanied by Germany. Pilot license number(s) 27788 9460. All limitations and restrictions on the German pilot license apply.”
FAA officials said foreign pilots are certified to fly in the U.S. based on their native training, but only on private jets.
“In general, if a foreign pilot has the equivalent of a valid private pilot certificate or higher from a foreign Civil Aviation Authority, he or she can apply to receive an FAA private pilot certificate,” the agency said in a statement that was provided to The Hill. “The FAA has established procedures for evaluating such requests.”
-This story updated with new information at 2:37 p.m.