Investigators probe Continental link to Concorde tragedy

A French magistrate opened a formal investigation today of Continental Airlines for manslaughter for the suspected role played by one of its jets in the July 2000 crash of the supersonic Concorde.

A French magistrate opened a formal investigation today of Continental Airlines for manslaughter for the suspected role played by one of its jets in the crash of the supersonic Concorde in 2000.

French investigating judge Christophe Regnard placed Continental under investigation – a step short of being formally charged – for manslaughter and involuntary injury, judicial officials said.

Investigators concluded that a titanium strip that fell from a Continental DC-10 onto the runway caused a Concorde tyre to burst, propelling rubber debris that perforated the supersonic plane’s fuel tanks.

The experts also determined, however, that the Concorde’s fuel tanks lacked sufficient protection.

Continental Airlines, based in Houston, Texas, has said it does not believe it had responsibility in causing the crash.

The investigating judge met a legal representative of the carrier today before formally placing the airline itself under investigation.

Depending on the outcome of the formal investigation, charges can be dropped or the airline forced to answer in court.

The Concorde exploded in flames two minutes after takeoff from Charles de Gaulle airport on July 25, 2000, and slammed into a hotel, killing all 109 people on board and four on the ground. The crash spelled an end to the career of the sleek but costly supersonic aircraft.

The prosecutor’s office has contended that Continental violated US Federal Aviation Administration rules by using titanium in a part of the plane that normally called for use of aluminum.

Continental shares fell 3% in trading on the New York Stock Exchange today.