THE US AIR FORCE, has disciplined two generals and 14 other lower-ranking servicemen, for their roles in the 3 April Boeing CT-43A crash in Croatia, which killed US Commerce Secretary Ronald Brown and 34 others.
It is understood that the flight should not have been conducted, since USAF aircraft were banned from instrument landings at the airport until a safety review had been performed. A waiver request was denied, but the flight was still made.
The 16 no longer face more serious court-martial proceedings, but the administrative actions will make it difficult - if not impossible - for them to gain promotion. The CT-43A slammed into a mountainside while on an instrument approach at Dubrovnik's airport. The investigation has spread the blame for the fatal crash.
Three commanders of the 86th Airlift Wing, at Ramstein AB, Germany, were sacked.
Former Wing commander Brig Gen William Stevens and Col John Mazurowski, previously 86th Operations Group leader, were reprimanded for dereliction of duty. Maj Gen Jeffrey Cliver was reprimanded for failing to oversee compliance with USAF directives. Col Roger Hansen, former Wing vice-commander, was reprimanded for not ensuring flight safety. Twelve lower-ranking officers received less severe punishments.
Source: Flight International
