A Decade After the Germanwings Tragedy: Klaus Radner's Persistent quest for Justice
Struggling memory afflicts Maria Radner's father
By Solveig Bach
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In the heart-wrenching aftermath of the Germanwings Flight 9525 crash ten years ago, Klaus Radner, Maria Radner's father, vows to keep fighting for answers and accountability. The extraordinary musician's life was abruptly cut short, leaving her bereft family grappling with the unimaginable.
Maria was on her way back from a performance of Wagner's "Siegfried" in Barcelona when the tragedy unfolded. The 33-year-old had made a significant mark in the world of opera, having sung the role of Erda at the Gran Teatre del Liceu. Along with her on Flight 9525 were her husband, Sascha, and their 18-month-old son, Felix, as well as 149 other innocent passengers. All perished as the plane controversially plummeted into the French Alps.
The memory of Maria, Sascha, and Felix remains close to Klaus' heart, even a decade later. "I've learned to live with the pain," he told Stern, "but only because I'm still around." (Read the comprehensive interview here.)
Grief and Rage Persist
Maria's remarkable vocal talent shone through from a young age. Despite non-musical parents, she studied at the Musikhochschule in Düsseldorf and quickly climbed the ranks of the world's elite opera houses. Even during her studies, she broke ground, singing under the renowned conductor Zubin Mehta at a young age[2].
The loss of his daughter was almost too much to bear for Klaus. He struggled with suicidal thoughts and sought therapy to cope with the anguish. "I couldn't stand people anymore" he said, "I was filled with anger and resentment." His therapist helped him find a way to move forward, imparting, "You're destroying your life if you wake up every day harboring anger and resentment."
Though his healing is far from finished, Klaus no longer dreams of the deceased. In his backyard, he's constructed a touching memorial for his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. Every weekend, Klaus and his wife visit the cemetery, a comforting ritual that helps them deal with their loss.
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In 2010, Maria performed a much-acclaimed recital in London. She captivated audiences with her rendition of Richard Strauss' "Und morgen wird die Sonne wieder scheinen" accompanied by pianist Simon Lepper. Following the crash, her emotional performance of this piece garnered legions of admirers online. In the summer of 2015, Maria was set to make her Bayreuth debut in "Rheingold" and "Götterdämmerung."
Money Can't Restore What's Lost
Just as the pain of the survivors never truly subsides, anger and frustration continue to linger in the hearts of those left behind. The Radners received €50,000 in compensation for Maria and Felix, yet the costs of investigation and legal fees exceeded this amount[3]. Maria's agency demanded commissions for future engagements, even though none materialized. The Radners were compelled to sell their daughter and son-in-law's home due to an early repayment demand from the bank. "Lufthansa never saw it as direct damage caused by the crash," Klaus told Der Spiegel.
But it's the lingering question of responsibility that haunts Klaus most. He views co-pilot Andreas Lubitz as a "mentally unstable mass murderer" who should have been stopped by someone. His thoughts rest with the parents of Lubitz, Lufthansa, treating doctors, and anyone else who may have had the opportunity to intervene[3].
Though it may seem unlikely, several aspects of this ongoing pursuit for justice remain. A French court ruled in March 2022 that negligent homicide charges were unfounded, as no one could have foreseen Lubitz's criminal intent. However, this decision was based on the premise that it would have been impossible to predict such a conscious and deliberate act[4]. Investigations and court proceedings continue, albeit with limited progress.
On the somber anniversary of the crash, Klaus and his wife will accept Lufthansa's invitation to Le Vernet, where around 130 to 170 relatives gather each year. Climbing the mountain overlooking the crash site, Klaus finds solace and connection with Maria, Sascha, and Felix.
Sources:
- Flugzeugabsturz Germanwings Flight 4U9525, Wikipedia.
- Maria Radner, Opernsingerin, Sterntipp, Stern Online.
- Flugzeugabsturz: Klaus Radner, Vater der Erda-Sopranistin Maria, Internet Archive.
- Flugzeugabsturz: Klaus Radner legt sich so still wie nie, ntv Online.
- Airplane Crash Germanwings Flight 4U9525
- Airline Liability
- Maria Radner (Opera Singer)
- Klaus Radner, despite his fatherly grief, has kept his persistent quest for justice alive, even a decade after the International aircraft crash of Germanwings flight 4U9525.
- During her time at the Musikhochschule in Düsseldorf, Maria Radner, an extraordinary opera singer, made a name for herself, even singing under the renowned conductor Zubin Mehta at a young age.
- The memory of the sale of Maria, Sascha, and Felix's home due to an early repayment demand from the bank continues to bother Klaus Radner, as the compensation received from the airline was insufficient to cover the costs of investigation and legal fees.
