Spanair confirms mechanical fault

Cleveland News.Net
Thursday 21st August, 2008

Spanish airline Spanair has confirmed that a fault in a temperature gauge delayed the departure of the jet which crashed on take-off in Madrid, killing at least 153 people.

According to Spanair, the gauge reading forced pilots to abandon a first takeoff about an hour before the plane crashed into flames.

While the gauge had indicated that overheated air was entering the aircraft, it is believed mechanics thought they had fixed the problem.

An airline source said the pilot thought he had a problem with the air conditioning before taking off.

Rescue workers have said the only passengers to survive Spain's worst aviation disaster since 1983 were those who fell into a stream and avoided severe burning.

Questions are now being asked about the stability of the Spanair organisation and, depending on the outcome of investigations, there may be legal action ahead.

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