This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7673316.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Spanair mechanics face crash quiz | Spanair mechanics face crash quiz |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The judge investigating the Madrid plane crash that killed 154 people in August is to question three mechanics on suspicion of manslaughter. | |
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 Spanish passenger jet crashed and burst into flames shortly after take-off at Madrid's Barajas airport. | |
An investigation said the plane's wing flaps had been set incorrectly. | |
Human error | |
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. | |
Less than half an hour later, Spanair flight 5022 crashed after take-off, killing all but 18 passengers on board. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. |
Previous version
1
Next version