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Spanair mechanics face crash quiz Spanair mechanics face crash quiz
(about 2 hours later)
The judge investigating the Spanair plane crash that killed 154 people in August is to question three mechanics on suspicion of manslaughter. The judge investigating the Madrid plane crash that killed 154 people in August is to question three mechanics on suspicion of manslaughter.
The Spanish passenger jet crashed and burst into flames shortly after take-off at Madrid's Barajas airport.
The two mechanics who checked the plane before take-off and Spanair's head of maintenance at Barajas will appear before the judge, court officials said.The two mechanics who checked the plane before take-off and Spanair's head of maintenance at Barajas will appear before the judge, court officials said.
The plane that crashed was a 15-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD82. The Spanish passenger jet crashed and burst into flames shortly after take-off at Madrid's Barajas airport.
Canary Islands flight An investigation said the plane's wing flaps had been set incorrectly.
Earlier this month, the first official report into the crash of Spanair flight JK5022 said investigators were focusing on a problem with the plane's wing flaps and the failure of a cockpit alarm to sound. Human error
It said no conclusions had been reached as to why the plane went down on 20 August. Investigators say the two mechanics had deactivated a faulty temperature gauge, but failed to spot a problem with the aircraft's take-off warning system, which was operating on the same electronic relay.
Two babies and 20 children were among the victims. Less than half an hour later, Spanair flight 5022 crashed after take-off, killing all but 18 passengers on board.
The plane was heading from Madrid to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Investigators say the wing flaps - which should have provided lift - had not been deployed, and that the warning system failed to sound in the cockpit.
Reports said it was serviced regularly and had been pronounced fit to fly. The suspicion, set out in court documents, is that the mechanics failed to pick up on a broader electrical fault, which would prove fatal, says the BBC's Steven Kingstone in Madrid.
The loss-making Spanish airline is owned by Scandinavia's SAS. Earlier this month, it announced it would shed more than 1,000 jobs and cut capacity by 25%. Advertisement
Mobile phone video of the immediate aftermath of the crash
The three men have formally been cited for the manslaughter of 154 people and for the injuries suffered by 18 survivors.
They are expected to give evidence in court next month.
Separately, the judge has set up a second investigation committee - consisting of pilots, flight engineers and mechanics - to run in parallel with an ongoing government-led inquiry.
The loss-making Spanish airline is owned by Scandinavia's SAS.
Earlier this month, it announced it would shed more than 1,000 jobs and cut capacity by 25%.
Spanair lost 515 million Swedish crowns ($71.72m; £39.69m) in the first half of 2008.Spanair lost 515 million Swedish crowns ($71.72m; £39.69m) in the first half of 2008.