One of the pilots was locked out of the cockpit just before the Germanwings crash in the French Alps, The New York Times reported Wednesday. 

A senior military official investigating the crash told the Times the two pilots had a “very smooth, very cool” conversation early in the flight form Barcelona to Düsseldorf.

Audio indicates that after a routine start to the flight, one of the pilots left the cockpit and could not re-enter, according to the report.

“The guy outside is knocking lightly on the door and there is no answer,” the investigator told the Times. “And then he hits the door stronger and no answer. There is never an answer.

The investigator told the Times, “You can hear he is trying to smash the door down.”

The investigator said it was not yet clear why one of the pilots left the cockpit and why the other pilot failed to open the door.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC