Continental to be sued for Concorde disaster


From the Globe and Mail


Continental to be sued for Concorde disaster


Reuters News Agency
Thursday, September 28, 2000


Paris -- Air France and its insurers are suing Continental Airlines over its possible role in the July Concorde disaster that killed 113 people, a spokeswoman for the French carrier said yesterday.

French investigators believe a strip of metal fell off a Continental DC-10 at the Paris airport and punctured a wheel on the Air France Concorde during its takeoff, causing the fiery crash.

"A piece from a Continental Airlines plane could have caused the Concorde accident, according to the inquiry," the Air France spokeswoman said, adding that, under French law, airlines are legally responsible for any parts that drop off their aircraft.

A lawyer representing relatives of 20 of those killed is planning similar legal action against the U.S. airline.

Continental said Tuesday that it was aware litigation was being prepared against it, but said there is no definite proof that a part from one of its jets was responsible for the crash.

Air France and its insurer, the Réunion Aerienne consortium, lodged their suit at a court in Pontoise, outside Paris.

An insurance source said Réunion Aerienne wanted Continental to cover all costs of the disaster.

German lawyer Christof Wellens said yesterday he would file suit against Continental in Houston, its U.S. base, on behalf of the relatives.

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[This message has been edited by back seat (edited 09-28-2000).]