Investigations against AUA examination manager: suspicion of corruption!

Investigations against AUA examination manager: suspicion of corruption!

Almost ten months after a hailstorm weather, which a machine from the Austrian Airlines (AUA) damaged, the Vienna public prosecutor's office has investigated the head of the Federal Security Investigation Agency (SUB) and six other people. This reports OE24 , the information of which is the basis of this report.

On June 9, 2024, an Airbus A320, who was traveling to Vienna on the return flight from Palma de Mallorca, came into a thunderstorm. As a result, an emergency call ("Mayday") had to be discontinued, but the machine landed safely at Vienna-Schwechat Airport. Fortunately, there were no injuries among the passengers, but the damage to the machine was significant.

Investigations and allegations

The investigation by the public prosecutor's office focuses on suspicion of abuse of office, favor and evidence suppression. These allegations do not affect all suspects. In particular, the members of the SUB are accused of not voluntarily publishing the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data writer to the judiciary. These devices were secured in the Ministry of Transport three weeks ago.

passenger attorney Wolfgang List had previously brought in a presentation of the fact that he suspected corruption and other crimes. The Viennese indictment checked this initial suspicion and initiated an investigation. In the interim report of the SUB, an "incident" and not an "accident" are spoken of, which is criticized by lawyer List. He criticizes the prevention of the publication of the records.

international reports and legal steps

International private reports come to the conclusion that it is a “serious accident”. Although the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data writer have not yet been evaluated, a judicial procedure is pending. The Vienna Higher Regional Court must now decide whether to ensure the records was lawful. In addition, the Korneuburg public prosecutor's office is considering examining the allegation of negligent general risk.

It is important to mention that the Federal Aviation Accident Investment (BFU) office (BFU) works in accordance with Regulation No. 996/2010 and the flight accident investigation law regardless of the ongoing investigation. This institution examines accidents and serious disorders of civil aircraft, whereby its primary goal is accident prevention and not determining guilt or liability, as the BFU explains on its website: BFU-Web.de .

An end to the ongoing investigation is currently not foreseeable due to the complexity of the case and the scope of the points to be clarified.