Tuninter Employees Convicted In ATR-72 Crash

Andy Nativi/Genoa Andy nativi@rid.it

Seven Tuninter pilots, technicians and managers have been convicted by an Italian tribunal for a crash in which 23 passengers survived and 16 were killed in August 2005.

The crash involved an ATR-72 that took off from Bari, Italy, and was headed to Djerba, Tunisia, and was forced to ditch in the sea just along the Sicilian coast.

The incident was caused because the aircraft fuel gauges and indicators had been incorrectly replaced by the maintenance personnel with those of the ATR-42. The instruments indicated there was enough fuel on board when the aircraft took off, while there was not actually enough fuel to carry out the intended flight.

The two pilots have been charged with multiple counts of manslaughter and air disaster, and sentenced to a term of 10 years because, in theory, they had the opportunity to reach the Palermo Airport for an emergency landing if they had followed proper procedure. Another five technicians and managers have been found guilty, with the chief operating officer and the maintenance chief sentenced to nine years each, while three technicians have been sentenced eight years each. Two others defendants were not found guilty. None of those indicted were present at the tribunal, and Tuninter lawyers have announced they will appeal the verdict.

Photo credit: Roberto Benetti via Wikipedia