san-100

Paper trail holds up criminal case

LA PRENSA

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Public prosecutors complained that delays in receiving key reports from the Junta Técnica Investigadora of the Autoridad Aeronáutica Civil (AAC) and the helicopter engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney are the main obstacles facing the criminal investigation into the crash of the helicopter SAN-100 of May 29.

Prosecutor Dimas Guevara confirmed yesterday that he is waiting for the two documents to be able to complete the pre-trial investigation.

"There are still a few legal processes left to do, including these reports," he added.

Guevara, who replaced Maruquel Castroverde as lead prosecutor in the case said he has asked both the ACC and the engine manufacturer to expedite the release of their reports, but that neither request has been met.

Among those currently participating in the investigation alongside the AAC are Paul Cox of the U.S. National Security Council; Efrain Esparza and Robert Drake of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration; Marc Gratton of Pratt & Whitney; and David Dosker of Bell Helicopter.

To date, Guevara said he has received sworn statements from officials of the Servicio Aéreo Nacional (SAN) who served as inspectors of the flight and maintenance equipment. Additionally, he has questioned rescue crews that took part in the work of locating the bodies after the accident and the SAN-100 co-pilot and sole survivor of the crash, Ernaldo Carrasco.

The preliminary report of the Junta Técnica Investigadora concluded that pilot error was the predominant factor in the deadly May 29 accident which killed 11 people.