Investigations according to AUA hail: Abuse and corruption in focus!

Investigations according to AUA hail: Abuse and corruption in focus!

Almost ten months after the hailstick, which seriously damaged an AUA machine on the return flight from Palma de Mallorca to Vienna on June 9, 2024, the investigation around the incident is now significantly expanding. The Vienna public prosecutor's office has charged the head of the federal government and six other people from the Federal Security Examination Center. There are allegations in the room that include abuse of office, favoring and suppression of evidence. However, these allegations do not affect all suspects equally, which leads to a complex legal Situation.

The accident occurred when the machine got into a thunderstorm cell and made an emergency call with the message "Mayday". Despite the strong damage to the Airbus A320, the machine landed safely at the Vienna-Schwechat Airport, and luckily there were no injuries among the passengers. Three weeks ago, the Ministry of Transport The Cockpit Voice Recorder and the flight data recorder were secured after the sub had not published them voluntarily.

Investigations and suspicion

The investigation was initiated after passenger attorney Wolfgang List brought in a representation of the fact that the Vienna public prosecutor's office, which expresses suspicion of corruption and other crimes. The public prosecutor's office in Korneuburg continues to investigate the allegation of negligent community risk, while the Higher Regional Court of Vienna has to decide whether to ensure that the records were legal. An end to the investigation is not yet foreseeable due to the scope of the required surveys.

In an aminoSe interim report of the SUB, only an "incident" and not of an "accident" are spoken of, which attracts the criticism of lawyer List. He had sharply criticized the sub for the delay in the publication of the records. International private reports from the topic reaffirm the classification of the incident as a "serious accident".

The role of the Federal Affairs Office (BFU)

The Federal Office for Flight Accident Investigation (BFU) is responsible for the investigation of accidents and serious disorders with civilian aircraft in Germany according to Regulation No. 996/2010 and the flight accident investigation law. Such investigations are independent of ongoing judicial or administrative procedures and primarily serve accident prevention. The BFU also participates in investigations abroad, provided the aircraft is registered in Germany, and does not raise any claims regarding guilt or liability.