To get the record straight, the Streamline/Air Liberte runway collision in CDG a few years ago happened because ATC cleared an Air Liberte MD-83 to take off after they had cleared the Streamline Shed to cross the runway. Language was only a contributory factor, the main reason for the collision was a wrong clearance. There is no proof whatsoever that it would not have happened in the same circumstances had the two aircraft (and ATC) been speaking the same language.
Actually, the shed was told to line up and wait number two. They were departing as well, but from an intersection rather than full length. Because of the angle of the taxiway they were unable to see the MD83 departing toward them.
Of
course there is no proof whatsoever that it would not have happened had English (or French or Navajo or whatever the standard language is...) been spoken by all parties at all times. However, use of French
did remove the last opportunity for the aircrew to stop this from happening. There was poor coordination in the tower and a raft of other things that went wrong, including the failure of the shed crew to ask a question when they were unsure about the clearance. However, the penalty for this error should not automatically be death. They were taxiing onto the runway for departure 1730 meters from the approach end of the runway which they could not see. Perhaps, just perhaps, hearing the controller say to another aircraft "cleared for takeoff runway 27" might have registered with them enough to prevent this from happening. It sure as hell didn't work out well the way it went down. I just think it's foolish to take aircrews out of the loop like this.
More details and perhaps a more articulate rant
here
Dave
Edited to give credit where credit is due... looking back over the thread I see that Jerricho said this before me. Apparently I liked it so much I even quoted him without realizing I was doing so. I guess plagiarism is the most sincere form of flattery, no?