The world watched in stunned disbelief as French authorities revealed the findings of their preliminary investigation. They say the co-pilot, 27 year-old Andreas Lubitz of Germany, deliberately crashed the plane into a mountain in the French Alps, killing all 150 on board. Three Americans were on board the flight from Spain to Germany. Yvonne and Emily Selke who had gone to Europe for a mother/daughter trip and Robert Oliver Calvo who was born in Spain but was an American.

Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said the co-pilot, 28-year-old German national Andreas Lubitz, apparently “wanted to destroy the aircraft.”

Authorities are not sure if Lubitz planned his actions or “took advantage” of a moment in which the pilot left the cockpit. At that time, they say Lubitz “activated the descent” which can only be done deliberately.

There are many questions to be answered, but screaming could be heard on an audio recording for the final few minutes of the flight. Those on board the plane died instantly as it plunged into the mountains.

The FBI has been asked to assist with the investigation. A search is also continuing for the plane’s second “black box,” the flight data recorder.