Fri, Nov 21, 2008
Includes Government Officials, Airline Execs
One of the basic tenets of aviation
regulation in much of the world is that the use of criminal
penalties should be a last resort, to avoid creating an environment
which discourages the reporting of safety problems.
But Brazil has a recent history of
pursuing criminal charges against pilots before
investigations are complete, and even
lawsuits against foreign reporters whose observations
offend its citizens. Now, the Associated Press reports
Brazilian police are fixing blame on both airline officials and
government bureaucrats for the nation's worst-ever airline
accident.
As ANN reported, TAM Airlines Flight 3054
overran a runway in driving rain at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport
in July of 2007, killing all 187 onboard the Airbus A320, and 12
more people on the ground.
An investigator with the Sao Paulo state civil police, who spoke
anonymously, said their investigation showed government officials
failed to set stricter rainy-day landing rules for the short runway
and to fully repair its drainage system.
Airline officials are blamed for poor pilot training, and
operating the airliner with one of its thrust reversers
inoperative. The airline insists Airbus considered flying with the
inoperative thrust reverser acceptable.
A total of 10 people have been implicated in the civil police
report, including the former director of Brazil's National Civil
Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the airline's safety director.
The Brazilian Air Force, which also operates the nation's air
traffic control system, is conducting its own investigation.
Individuals found guilty could face up to six years in prison, but
it will be up to Brazilian prosecutors to bring formal charges.
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