Early CVR reading reveals that one pilot was locked out of the cockpit. He knocks ever louder and there is no response from in the cockpit.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/26/world/europe/germanwings-airbus-crash.html?_r=0
In the US the FAA mandates that when one pilot leaves one other crew member takes his place, It is usually a flight attendant, but can be a jumpseat pilot, or third pilot in a long haul augmented crew (I am looking at webmaster). It isn't out of concern for the other pilot flying the plane into the ground, but so he doesn't have to get out of the seat to open the door. While we could get the door open from the seat on the MD 80 we couldn't look through the peep hole to positively ID who wants in, another requirement post 9/11. On the A320 you can't even get the door open without leaving the seat which leave no one at the controls. I can't imagine that their airline procedures, if not EASA regs, don't specify a similar procedure.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/26/world/europe/germanwings-airbus-crash.html?_r=0
In the US the FAA mandates that when one pilot leaves one other crew member takes his place, It is usually a flight attendant, but can be a jumpseat pilot, or third pilot in a long haul augmented crew (I am looking at webmaster). It isn't out of concern for the other pilot flying the plane into the ground, but so he doesn't have to get out of the seat to open the door. While we could get the door open from the seat on the MD 80 we couldn't look through the peep hole to positively ID who wants in, another requirement post 9/11. On the A320 you can't even get the door open without leaving the seat which leave no one at the controls. I can't imagine that their airline procedures, if not EASA regs, don't specify a similar procedure.