Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz repeatedly accelerated plane as he flew it into mountain

Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz repeatedly accelerated plane as he flew it into mountain

Investigators have revealed that the second black box confirms that killer co-pilot Andreas Lubitz intentionally crashed the tragic Germanwings plane.

French authorities who have examined the second black box revealed that data extracted from it show that the 27-year-old repeatedly accelerated the plane as he flew it into the French Alps.

The box, which was recovered yesterday, is thought to hold computer data on the flight - including the plane's flight path and the cockpit door's locking mechanism.

This morning it was revealed that early data shows the plane was sped up and intentionally flown into mountains.

"A first reading shows that the pilot in the cockpit used the automatic pilot to put the airplane on a descent towards an altitude of 100 feet," the BEA investigation office said in a statement.

"Then several times the pilot modified the automatic pilot settings to increase the speed of the airplane as it descended," it added.

A judicial source working alongside Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said the information confirmed their worst fears.

The second black box measures data such as speed, altitude and pilot action and was an 'indispensable element' in the investigation, said the source.

The information backs up earlier theories from investigators who accused Lubitz of killing himself and everyone else on board after hearing chilling recordings from the first black box.

The box was recovered yesterday afternoon from the crash site in the French Alps and investigators hope it could hold key information into why the cockpit doors were locked and who put the plane on a course with the mountainside.

French investigators said there was a "reasonable hope" the box could provide useful evidence despite suffering some damage.

Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin also said 150 sets of DNA had been found in the wreckage.

Although investigators would not confirm that the DNA collected was from every victim, the fact that they had retrieved 150 has led many to believe remains from every passenger and crew member - including Lubitz - has been recovered.

Forensics experts have been pouring over DNA evidence that has been painstakingly collected from among the debris scattered across the mountainside.

Lubitz's forensic remains may help to answer a number of questions, including whether he was on medication or not.