Six individuals connected with former Swiss carrier Crossair have been charged by the country’s federal prosecutor with negligent homicide and causing bodily injury through negligence following a fatal accident six years ago.
The Swiss prosecutor’s office has not identified the individuals but describes them as “former officials of the airline” at the time of the crash.
Those identified in the indictment will be required to answer the charges before the federal criminal court in Bellinzona.
Twenty-four occupants on a BAE Systems Avro RJ100 were killed when the aircraft crashed while attempting a non-precision night-time approach to Zurich Airport on 24 November 2001.
Investigators concluded in 2004 that crew fatigue, over-confidence and complacency contributed to the crash. But they also heavily criticised Crossair itself, describing its crew-monitoring procedures and safety oversight as inadequate.
Crossair’s former chief, Andre Dose, was heading the airline at the time of the accident. He subsequently resigned from Crossair’s successor, Swiss International Air Lines, in 2004 as prosecutors extended their inquiries over the crash to a number of Crossair managers.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
