A French court will today decide whether anyone was to blame for the crash of an Air France-operated Concorde more than 10 years ago.
US carrier Continental Airlines stands accused of involuntary homicide, as prosecutors believe a piece of metal which fell from one of its aircraft was responsible for bursting a tyre on the supersonic jet.
However, lawyers for Continental emphatically claim that the Concorde was already ablaze before it hit the metal strip on the runway. They believe the jet operator is entirely to blame.
A French inquiry has already deemed that the debris from the Continental aircraft was partially to blame.
Three former French officials face the same charge for allegedly failing to identify problems with the jet’s fuel tanks. Their legal representatives say the crash could not have been predicted and that the men should be absolved of any blame.
The aircraft burst into flames as it took off from Charles de Gaulle airport in July 2000. It crashed into a field less than a minute later, killing all 109 on board and another four people on the ground.
According to reports, Continental faces a fine of up to £150,000 if it is found guilty.
Air France has already paid out some £100 million to victims’ families, and may try to recoup the cash from the Star Alliance carrier.
The trial has run for four months in Paris at an estimated cost of £2.5 million.