Sensational investigations: Aua director in the hail dispute in court!

Sensational investigations: Aua director in the hail dispute in court!

Almost ten months after a serious hailstorm weather, which damaged an Airbus A320 machine from the Austrian Airlines Aua, the Vienna public prosecutor expands its investigation. On June 9, 2024, the machine got into a thunderstorm cell to Vienna during the return flight from Palma de Mallorca, which finally led to an emergency call "Mayday". However, the machine landed safely at Vienna-Schwechat Airport, with luckily no injuries among the 160 passengers. Nevertheless, the plane suffered significant damage, which attracted the attention of the authorities. According to oe24.at , the public prosecutor's office is investigating the head of the Federal Security Examination Center.

The suspicion includes abuse of office, favoring and evidence suppression, although not all suspects are equally affected. The sub had spoken of an "incident" in an interim report and not of an "accident". The public prosecutor's office in Korneuburg also investigates the allegation of negligent danger of community.

Investigations and legal steps

Three weeks ago, important evidence, including Cockpit Voice Recorder and flight data writer, was ensured in the Ministry of Transport. These devices were not voluntarily published by the SUB, which led to criticism from passenger attorney Wolfgang List. The latter had brought in with the public prosecutor's office in Vienna, which indicates suspicions of corruption and other crimes. The Viennese indictment checked the initial suspicion and initiated an investigation.

The international expertise certifies that it is a "serious accident", although the exact details from the confiscated records could not yet be evaluated. The Vienna Higher Regional Court must now decide whether to secure the records was legal. An end to the extensive investigation is not yet in sight.

role of the Federal Office for Flight Accident Investigation

The Federal Office for Flight Accident Investigation (BFU) plays an important role in the clarification of such incidents. According to Regulation No. 996/2010 and the flight accident investigation law, the BFU is entitled to examine accidents and serious disorders with civilian aircraft in Germany. These examinations are independent of the judicial or administrative procedure, and their purpose is in accident prevention. Reports of the BFU do not contain any statements on guilt or liability, but aim to gain valuable knowledge for aviation safety, as on bfu-web.de

The ongoing investigations and studies are therefore not only of legal interest, but should also serve to prevent similar incidents in the future and to increase security in air traffic. It remains to be seen which further developments will bring the coming weeks.