Big Rab
I share your thoughts on apportioning blame on the Pilot who cannot defend himself and charterers (in this case Airtours and other UK Airlines) not being aware of the risks of using these type of aircraft.
I question though your statement that " Airtours management (of the time), who had been made well aware of the dangers and limitations by numerous pilots within their organisation who had experience on these types of aircraft. Indeed a number of them had been threatened with disciplinary procedures for voicing their concerns ".
Surely if this had been the case Airtours would have been taken to the cleaners by the Lawyers in the investigation for care of duty?.
Why if numerous Pilots had been voicing there concerns were
the Company considering laying on another rotation to ease complaints from crews over long road joruneys pre/post flight.
I suggest that many comments were made in hindsight post 03/09, but not before
Our thoughts remains with those involved