Investigations against AUA security chief after hail accident: suspected corruption!

Investigations against AUA security chief after hail accident: suspected corruption!

Almost ten months after the severe hailstan weather, which damaged an AUA machine on the return flight of Palma de Mallorca to Vienna on June 9, 2024, the Vienna public prosecutor expands its investigation. This reports Oe24.at . Against the head and six other persons from the federal security investment agency (SUB) are now serious allegations, including abuse of office, favor and suppression of evidence.

The AUA machine, an Airbus A320, got into a thunderstorm during the flight, which led to an emergency call ("Mayday"). Fortunately, the securely landed machine at Vienna-Schwechat Airport remained under the passengers without injuries, but suffered severe damage. Three weeks ago, cockpit voice recorder and flight data writer were seized in the Ministry of Transport after the sub did not want to publish them voluntarily.

Investigations and allegations

The passenger attorney Wolfgang List has brought in a representation of the facts with the Vienna public prosecutor, in which he suspected of corruption and other crimes. The Viennese indictment then examined the initial suspicion and initiated an investigation. In the interim report of the SUB, the incident is referred to as "incident", not as "accident", which alerts the critics.

List sharply criticized the SUB that the publication of the records was prevented by the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data writer. However, these records are still not evaluated, and the Vienna Higher Regional Court still has to decide whether to ensure the records was lawful. At the same time, the Korneuburg public prosecutor's office checks the allegation of negligent community risk.

The role of the BFU

The Federal Office for Flight Accident Investigation (BFU) plays a special role in this context, such as bfu-web.de . It is responsible for the examination of accidents and serious disorders with civilian aircraft in Germany. The BFU carries out its investigations regardless of the judicial or administrative procedure, with the aim of accident prevention.

The report by the BFU will not contain any final findings on guilt or liability, since the focus is on the security and avoidance of future incidents. It remains to be seen how the ongoing investigations develop and whether the independent analysis of the BFU will provide new knowledge about this dramatic incident.

An end to the investigation is not yet foreseeable due to the scope of the surveys, which makes the situation more complex for both the authorities and the persons concerned.