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Concorde Crash Trial Begins
AVWeb ^ | February 3, 2010 | The AVweb Editorial Staff

Posted on 02/03/2010 7:12:10 AM PST by Ratman83

Five people, including two Continental Airlines employees, face up to five years in prison if a French court finds them responsible for the crash of an Air France Concorde supersonic airliner near Paris almost 10 years ago. A four-month trial has begun into the July 25, 2000, crash that killed all 109 people on the airplane and four employees of the hotel the airliner, trailing a tongue of flame, hit when it crashed. The five, along with Continental itself, are charged with involuntary manslaughter. The case centers around investigators' findings that a piece of metal fell from a Continental DC-10 that departed Charles de Gaulle Airport immediately before the Concorde started its roll. The investigation says the metal, which was traced to the DC-10, shredded a tire on the Concorde and debris pierced the brim-full fuel tanks causing the fire that brought the aircraft down. Continental will argue that maintenance and design faults led to the disaster and that the aircraft involved should not have been flying that day.

(Excerpt) Read more at avweb.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: airfrance; concorde; france; planecrash
Just got to love the French
1 posted on 02/03/2010 7:12:10 AM PST by Ratman83
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To: Ratman83

This is just so much bs.

These are two separate issues, IIRC. The metal was a hand fabricated/modified piece “quick fix it” on the DC-10. That’s one issue.

The debris is/was the responsibility of the airport, Air France, and the pilot of the Concorde. That’s a separate issue.


2 posted on 02/03/2010 7:21:06 AM PST by papasmurf (sudo apt-get install U-S-Constitution)
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To: papasmurf

The details escape me at the moment, but the Concorde was suppose to have a crew insuring the runway was clear before every Concorde take off. I seem to recall the “crew” was watching a soccer game that day and not at the airport.


3 posted on 02/03/2010 7:25:28 AM PST by jpsb
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To: papasmurf

I agree.


4 posted on 02/03/2010 7:27:42 AM PST by Ratman83
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To: jpsb; Ratman83

Oh, I just remembered, Air France and British Airways knew, in advance, that this exact scenario existed as a danger to the Concorde.

You want to sue us for a piece that fell off? Fine, sue EVERYBODY involved, even indirectly, as well. Anus, trou du cul!


5 posted on 02/03/2010 7:34:48 AM PST by papasmurf (sudo apt-get install U-S-Constitution)
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To: Ratman83

Bigger question is how a shredding tire was able to do the damage it did. I’d say that is a design flaw on the Concorde that also contributed to the crash.


6 posted on 02/03/2010 7:35:15 AM PST by IYAS9YAS (The townhalls were going great until the oPods showed up.)
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To: IYAS9YAS

I think the metal and the tire both hit the plane but it has been a long time to remember.


7 posted on 02/03/2010 7:53:02 AM PST by Ratman83
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To: Ratman83

Bush’s Fault.


8 posted on 02/03/2010 7:55:18 AM PST by Rodamala
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To: IYAS9YAS
IIRC, the debris not only punctured the fuel tank, but also severed electrical wires in the wheel-well which created the ignition source. That said, the Europeans view on liability is whacked out.
9 posted on 02/03/2010 10:12:25 AM PST by Niteranger68 ("Obama voters will pay dearly!")
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