Defunct contractor sentenced in 1996 ValuJet crash

MIAMI (Reuters) - A U.S. judge sentenced defunct ValuJet maintenance contractor SabreTech, Inc., to a $500,000 fine Tuesday in connection with the 1996 crash of a ValuJet plane into Florida's Everglades, which killed 110 people.

SabreTech was convicted of willfully failing to train its employees properly in the handling of hazardous materials. The ValuJet crash was blamed on a fire in the cargo hold sparked by improperly packaged oxygen canisters handled by SabreTech workers.

SabreTech faced both federal and state charges in the wake of the ValuJet crash. The DC-9 plunged into the Everglades west of Miami on May 11, 1996, shortly after takeoff from Miami International Airport.

In a 1997 report, the National Transportation Safety Board said SabreTech mishandled the canisters and faulted ValuJet for failing to adequately supervise the maintenance company.

Miami-Dade County prosecutors filed charges of third-degree murder and manslaughter against SabreTech, saying the crash was the result of a crime.

But those charges were ultimately dropped as part of an agreement under which SabreTech pleaded no contest to a count of improperly causing the transportation of hazardous waste. SabreTech's parent, Sabreliner Corp. of St. Louis, was required to pay $500,000 to groups that promote air safety.

In federal court, SabreTech was found guilty in December 1999 of nine hazardous materials violations and was sentenced to pay more than $11 million in fines and restitution.

But an appeals court overturned eight of the nine convictions, letting stand only the one conviction of failing to adequately train employees.

U.S. Judge James Lawrence King on Tuesday imposed the maximum penalty for that conviction, a $500,000 fine.

But SabreTech attorney Martin Raskin said the company had collapsed under the weight of litigation and loss of business after the ValuJet crash.

"It's going to be difficult for anyone to find any assets to pay that fine," Raskin said outside the courthouse.

ValuJet was never charged with wrongdoing in connection with the crash. It now flies as AirTran Airways.

"ValuJet was never charged with wrongdoing in connection with the crash. It now flies as AirTran Airways."

Thanks CD. And despite 2 very close calls since this terrible tragedy people are flocking onto these planes including the old DC-9s that are still a part of their fleet to take advantage of their cheap ticket prices. I guess people believe it can never happen to them. I think they are one of the few airlines that presently aren't operating in the red. Go figure.

http://www.airdisaster.com/news/1200/04/news.shtml

Clueless in the Cockpit...some interesting ideas for solving the problem

http://www.aviationtoday.com/reports/avionics/0802safety.htm