Criminal investigation underway in Switzerland
The district attorney in Bülach (whose territory includes Zurich Airport) has opened an investigation into Skyguide. Charges are involuntary manslaughter and negligent interference with public transport.
As the mid-air crash physically occurred in Germany, Skyguide is the only Swiss target for any criminal investigation.
In addition, one of the serious deficiencies outlined in the recently published report by BFU, the Swiss Air Accident Investigation Bureau, is coming back to haunt Skyguide in the context of Monday’s mid-air collision, an issue confirmed by Jean Overney, the bureau’s top manager.
The report, released on 26 June 2002, had – among other points – highlighted shortcomings in Skyguide's time stamping and legal recording of events. The report says that “our investigations have revealed that the recording of flight paths by the legal recording system and their representation on controllers’ screens can differ”.
Investigations carried out by the Swiss Air Accident Investigation Bureau following Monday’s mid-air collision have confirmed that the available legal recordings do not “in every aspect” concur with the situation as described by the duty controller.
Last edited by Alpha Leader; 5th Jul 2002 at 14:17.