1998 Cavalese Cable Car Disaster (lost cockpit recording of aviation-related accident; 1998): Difference between revisions

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|title=<center>1998 Cavalese cable car disaster cockpit recording</center>
|title=<center>1998 Cavalese cable car disaster cockpit recording</center>
|image=Cavalese1.jpg
|image=Cavalese1.jpg
|imagecaption=Aftermath of the disaster
|imagecaption=The aftermath of the disaster.
|status=<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''</span>
|status=<span style="color:red">'''Lost'''</span>
}}
}}
On 3rd February 1998, twenty people died when a cable car situated near the ski resort town of Cavalese, Italy plummeted to the ground from 260 feet. The disaster has been named the Strage del Cermis in Italy, as the cause of the disaster was a United States Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler aircraft, which was deemed to be flying too low and too fast, cut a cable that supported the cable car as it was descending from Mount Cermis.<ref>[https://www.icao.int/MID/Documents/2017/AIM%20SG3-MIDAD%20TF4/IP%203.pdf ''International Civil Aviation Organization'', which summarised the disaster.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> The pilot, Captain Richard J. Ashby, and his navigator, Captain Joseph Schweitzer, were ultimately deemed not guilty of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide for their roles in the disaster. However, they were found guilty of obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman upon being found to have '''destroyed camcorder footage recorded from the plane's cockpit'''.
On February 3rd, 1998, twenty people died when a cable car situated near the ski resort town of Cavalese, Italy plummeted to the ground from 260 feet. The disaster has been named the Strage del Cermis in Italy, as the cause of the disaster was a United States Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler aircraft, which was deemed to be flying too low and too fast, cut a cable that supported the cable car as it was descending from Mount Cermis.<ref>[https://www.icao.int/MID/Documents/2017/AIM%20SG3-MIDAD%20TF4/IP%203.pdf ''International Civil Aviation Organization'', which summarised the disaster.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref> The pilot, Captain Richard J. Ashby, and his navigator, Captain Joseph Schweitzer, were ultimately deemed not guilty of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide for their roles in the disaster. However, they were found guilty of obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman upon being found to have '''destroyed camcorder footage recorded from the plane's cockpit'''.


==Background==
==Background==
On the day of the disaster, the pilots were undergoing a low-attitude training mission, which is critical for optimal wartime "nap-of-the-earth" flying. Military regulations demanded that the plane have a minimum flying height of 1,000 feet, with restrictions regarding maximum speed and what manoeuvres could be conducted also enforced. This was in response to a Prowler jet crash that occurred in in Yuma, Ariz two years prior, killing all four crew members during a training exercise. But according to engineers belonging to the ski-lift company that owned the cable cars, the plane must have been flying at between 260 to 330 feet for it to have hit the cable based on estimations regarding how high the cables were off the ground.<ref>[https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/02/18/how-wayward-pilot-sliced-cable/ ''Tampa Bay Times'', reporting on the disaster and investigation findings, including the estimated feet the plane was flying at by the time of the disaster.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> Additionally, training flights within the Cavalese region were restricted to 2,000 feet, although an investigation board consisting of six U.S. Marine Corps officers, one U.S. Air Force officer, and one Italian Air
On the day of the disaster, the pilots were undergoing a low-attitude training mission, which is critical for optimal wartime "nap-of-the-earth" flying. Military regulations demanded that the plane have a minimum flying height of 1,000 feet, with restrictions regarding maximum speed and what manoeuvres could be conducted also enforced. This was in response to a Prowler jet crash that occurred in in Yuma, Ariz two years prior, killing all four crew members during a training exercise. But according to engineers belonging to the ski-lift company that owned the cable cars, the plane must have been flying at between 260 to 330 feet for it to have hit the cable based on estimations regarding how high the cables were off the ground.<ref>[https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/02/18/how-wayward-pilot-sliced-cable/ ''Tampa Bay Times'', reporting on the disaster and investigation findings, including the estimated feet the plane was flying at by the time of the disaster.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref> Additionally, training flights within the Cavalese region were restricted to 2,000 feet, although an investigation board consisting of six U.S. Marine Corps officers, one U.S. Air Force officer, and one Italian Air
Force officer found that ground supervisors failed to inform the crew about this.<ref>[https://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2030&context=fss_papers ''The Incident at Cavalese and Strategic Compensation'', which discussed the investigation and its findings.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref>
Force officer found that ground supervisors failed to inform the crew about this.<ref>[https://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2030&context=fss_papers ''The Incident at Cavalese and Strategic Compensation'', which discussed the investigation and its findings.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref>


Italian investigators also discovered that the plane severed the ski lift cables at around 540 mph (870 km/h), which was essentially the plane's top speed. In the initial trial of Ashby and Schweitzer, Ashby claimed to have been unaware of any speed restrictions while they were conducting the mission. According to some eyewitness accounts, the plane was travelling so low and fast that it barely managed to navigate pass lakes, roads, houses and even over vehicles upon crossing a busy roadway, frightening some villagers in the process. Then-Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi claimed it was "a terrible act, a flight practically scraping the ground."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/18/world/death-in-the-alps-a-special-report-how-wayward-us-pilot-killed-20-on-ski-lift.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on the investigation findings, including how the plane was essentially flying at top speed.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref>
Italian investigators also discovered that the plane severed the ski lift cables at around 540 mph (870 km/h), which was essentially the plane's top speed. In the initial trial of Ashby and Schweitzer, Ashby claimed to have been unaware of any speed restrictions while they were conducting the mission. According to some eyewitness accounts, the plane was travelling so low and fast that it barely managed to navigate pass lakes, roads, houses and even over vehicles upon crossing a busy roadway, frightening some villagers in the process. Then-Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi claimed it was "a terrible act, a flight practically scraping the ground."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/18/world/death-in-the-alps-a-special-report-how-wayward-us-pilot-killed-20-on-ski-lift.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on the investigation findings, including how the plane was essentially flying at top speed.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref>


Investigators also discovered that past the halfway mark of the training flight, the Prowler suddenly changed direction, veering left into the valleys. According to Italian Government officials, this was in violation of the agreed course and area limits for this exercise. The independent board blamed the aircrew for aggressively manoeuvring their aircraft, while the prosecution deemed that the crew had also conducted an unorthodox roll manoeuvre that further contributed to the plane going off course. All of these aspects contributed towards the disaster.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/3/newsid_2527000/2527521.stm ''BBC News'' article discussing the investigation findings, summarising the prosecution's claims the plane was going too low, too fast and had conducted an unorthodox roll manoeuvre.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> At around 3:12pm, Ashby saw the yellow cable car to his right, and banked sharply left and up in an attempt to avoid a collision. Ultimately, it was too late, and the Prowler's right wing severed through the cables that caused the cable car to plummet to the ground. All twenty on-board the car, including one operator, were killed. The Prowler suffered severe damage to its right wing and tail, which caused fuel and hydraulic oil to leak. Nevertheless, the plane successfully made an emergency landing at Aviano Air Base.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/cavalese-cable-car-disaster-us-aircraft-deaths-trentino-20-1998-italy-dolomites-lake-garda-responsibility-air-force-a8184771.html ''Independent'' article discussing the disaster, the plane's landing and the trials.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> This was the second cable car disaster to have occurred in Cavalese, the other occurring in 1976 and taking 43 lives.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/9/newsid_4213000/4213355.stm ''BBC News'' article discussing the 1976 Cavalese cable car disaster.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref>  
Investigators also discovered that past the halfway mark of the training flight, the Prowler suddenly changed direction, veering left into the valleys. According to Italian Government officials, this was in violation of the agreed course and area limits for this exercise. The independent board blamed the aircrew for aggressively manoeuvring their aircraft, while the prosecution deemed that the crew had also conducted an unorthodox roll manoeuvre that further contributed to the plane going off course. All of these aspects contributed towards the disaster.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/3/newsid_2527000/2527521.stm BBC News article discussing the investigation findings, summarising the prosecution's claims the plane was going too low, too fast and had conducted an unorthodox roll manoeuvre.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref> At around 3:12pm, Ashby saw the yellow cable car to his right, and banked sharply left and up in an attempt to avoid a collision. Ultimately, it was too late, and the Prowler's right wing severed through the cables that caused the cable car to plummet to the ground. All twenty on-board the car, including one operator, were killed. The Prowler suffered severe damage to its right wing and tail, which caused fuel and hydraulic oil to leak. Nevertheless, the plane successfully made an emergency landing at Aviano Air Base.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/cavalese-cable-car-disaster-us-aircraft-deaths-trentino-20-1998-italy-dolomites-lake-garda-responsibility-air-force-a8184771.html ''Independent'' article discussing the disaster, the plane's landing and the trials.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref> This was the second cable car disaster to have occurred in Cavalese, the other occurring in 1976 and taking 43 lives.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/9/newsid_4213000/4213355.stm BBC News article discussing the 1976 Cavalese cable car disaster.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref>  


In the initial trial, all four crew members, Ashby, Schweitzer, and Captains Chandler P. Seagraves and William L. Raney, were charged, but only the former two faced trial for twenty counts of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide. The defence for Ashby's trial claimed that the US military map provided by the Pentagon, was inadequate as it did not show where the cables were situated.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/02/19/map-didnt-show-ski-lift-cable/7e12229a-2a94-483e-b6aa-46209f11c0ad/ ''Washington Post'' article reporting that the US military map did not show the ski-lift cable.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> Ashby also argued that the plane's altimeter had malfunctioned.<ref>[https://devastatingdisasters.com/cavalese-cable-car-collision-1998/ ''Devastating Disaster'' mentioning the malfunctioning altimeter used in Ashby's defence.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> On 5th March 1999, a jury voted to acquit Ashby,<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=74dXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EfIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6168%2C2460302 ''The Spokesman-Review'' reporting on Ashby's acquittal.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> with Schweitzer's being dropped not long after Ashby's acquittal. This was much to the anger of many in Italy, which contributed towards further strain of Italian-US relations.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/mar/05/johnhooper.julianborger1 ''Guardian'' article reporting on the anger many Italians felt upon hearing the acquittal of Ashby.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref>
In the initial trial, all four crew members, Ashby, Schweitzer, and Captains Chandler P. Seagraves and William L. Raney, were charged, but only the former two faced trial for twenty counts of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide. The defence for Ashby's trial claimed that the US military map provided by the Pentagon, was inadequate as it did not show where the cables were situated.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/02/19/map-didnt-show-ski-lift-cable/7e12229a-2a94-483e-b6aa-46209f11c0ad/ ''Washington Post'' article reporting that the US military map did not show the ski-lift cable.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref> Ashby also argued that the plane's altimeter had malfunctioned.<ref>[https://devastatingdisasters.com/cavalese-cable-car-collision-1998/ Devastating Disaster article mentioning the malfunctioning altimeter used in Ashby's defence.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref> On March 5th, 1999, a jury voted to acquit Ashby,<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=74dXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EfIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6168%2C2460302 The Spokesman-Review reporting on Ashby's acquittal.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> with Schweitzer's being dropped not long after Ashby's acquittal. This was much to the anger of many in Italy, which contributed towards further strain of Italian-US relations.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/mar/05/johnhooper.julianborger1 Guardian article reporting on the anger many Italians felt upon hearing the acquittal of Ashby.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref>


==Cockpit videotape and second trial==
==Cockpit Videotape and Second Trial==
Although acquitted of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide, Ashby and Schweitzer would face a second court martial for obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. During the investigation, it was discovered that a video camera was situated in the front cockpit of the Prowler, going against regulations. Upon attempting to examine the footage, all Italian investigators found was black.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/05/10/marine-hearing-yields-clearer-picture-of-cable-car-tragedy/3cf1e8fd-7de2-4e1f-b6bc-417ee598bcb0/ ''Washington Post'' article discussing the videotape and the alleged purpose of filming footage inside the cockpit.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref>  
Although acquitted of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide, Ashby and Schweitzer would face a second court martial for obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. During the investigation, it was discovered that a video camera was situated in the front cockpit of the Prowler, going against regulations. Upon attempting to examine the footage, all Italian investigators found was black.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/05/10/marine-hearing-yields-clearer-picture-of-cable-car-tragedy/3cf1e8fd-7de2-4e1f-b6bc-417ee598bcb0/ ''Washington Post'' article discussing the videotape and the alleged purpose of filming footage inside the cockpit.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref>  


It was found that videotape shot from the Prowler's cockpit during part of its flight was destroyed by its crew.<ref>[https://www.lastampa.it/esteri/la-stampa-in-english/2011/07/14/news/exclusive-classified-documents-show-u-s-full-responsibility-for-1998-italy-ski-gondola-disaster-1.36950959 ''Lastampa'' reporting on the video footage being destroyed.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> Ashby and Schweitzer maintained that no information that could incriminate them was lost upon the videotape's destruction. The video camera's purpose was to capture the surrounding scenery, and according to Schweitzer, contained footage of him smiling prior to the accident occurring. This provided the motivation for him to destroy the footage, because of concern that television broadcast would picture him smiling alongside graphic imagery of the disaster's aftermath. Upon landing at Aviano Air Base, Ashby gave Schweitzer the tape, the latter claiming he then destroyed the footage by throwing it onto a bonfire.
It was found that videotape shot from the Prowler's cockpit during part of its flight was destroyed by its crew.<ref>[https://www.lastampa.it/esteri/la-stampa-in-english/2011/07/14/news/exclusive-classified-documents-show-u-s-full-responsibility-for-1998-italy-ski-gondola-disaster-1.36950959 Lastampa reporting on the video footage being destroyed.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref> Ashby and Schweitzer maintained that no information that could incriminate them was lost upon the videotape's destruction. The video camera's purpose was to capture the surrounding scenery, and according to Schweitzer, contained footage of him smiling prior to the accident occurring. This provided the motivation for him to destroy the footage, because of concern that television broadcast would picture him smiling alongside graphic imagery of the disaster's aftermath. Upon landing at Aviano Air Base, Ashby gave Schweitzer the tape, the latter claiming he then destroyed the footage by throwing it onto a bonfire.


However, because investigators were never able to view what was on the tape, prosecutors in the second trial claimed that the crew had destroyed the footage in an attempt to obstruct the trial. Consequentially, Ashby and Schweitzer were charged with obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Ashby was sentenced to six months in prison, dismissal from the Marines and the surrendering of all military pay and allowances. Because Schweitzer entered a plea agreement, he faced no prison time, but was also ultimately dismissed too.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/340507.stm ''BBC News'' article reporting on Ashby and Schweitzer being sentenced for destroying the videotape footage.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref> An appeal by both pilots against their dismissals was rejected in November 2007.<ref>[https://www.repubblica.it/2008/02/sezioni/cronaca/cermis-patto/cermis-patto/cermis-patto.html ''Repubblica.it'' reporting on the dismissal appeals being rejected.] Retrieved 20 June '21</ref>
However, because investigators were never able to view what was on the tape, prosecutors in the second trial claimed that the crew had destroyed the footage in an attempt to obstruct the trial. Consequentially, Ashby and Schweitzer were charged with obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Ashby was sentenced to six months in prison, dismissal from the Marines and the surrendering of all military pay and allowances. Because Schweitzer entered a plea agreement, he faced no prison time, but was also ultimately dismissed too.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/340507.stm BBC News article reporting on Ashby and Schweitzer being sentenced for destroying the videotape footage.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref> An appeal by both pilots against their dismissals was rejected in November 2007.<ref>[https://www.repubblica.it/2008/02/sezioni/cronaca/cermis-patto/cermis-patto/cermis-patto.html Repubblica.it reporting on the dismissal appeals being rejected.] Retrieved 20 Jun '21</ref>


==Availability==
==Availability==
Because Schweitzer destroyed the videotape containing the footage, this recording will never be recovered. Hence, the only people that can recollect what was on that tape were the aircrew themselves. In a 2012 episode of ''Seconds From Disaster'' that discussed the disaster, titled ''Cable Car Collision'', Schweitzer summarised the footage as an "innocent record of a happy flight".<ref>''Seconds From Disaster'' episode ''Cable Car Collision'', where Schweitzer discusses the videotape and the motivation for destroying it. Retrieved 20 June '21</ref>
Because Schweitzer destroyed the videotape containing the footage, this recording will never be recovered. Hence, the only people that can recollect what was on that tape were the aircrew themselves. In a 2012 episode of ''Seconds From Disaster'' that discussed the disaster, titled "Cable Car Collision," Schweitzer summarised the footage as an "innocent record of a happy flight".


==Gallery==
==Gallery==

Revision as of 14:06, 27 June 2021

Nsfl.png


This article has been tagged as NSFL due to its disturbing subject matter.



Cavalese1.jpg

The aftermath of the disaster.

Status: Lost

On February 3rd, 1998, twenty people died when a cable car situated near the ski resort town of Cavalese, Italy plummeted to the ground from 260 feet. The disaster has been named the Strage del Cermis in Italy, as the cause of the disaster was a United States Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler aircraft, which was deemed to be flying too low and too fast, cut a cable that supported the cable car as it was descending from Mount Cermis.[1] The pilot, Captain Richard J. Ashby, and his navigator, Captain Joseph Schweitzer, were ultimately deemed not guilty of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide for their roles in the disaster. However, they were found guilty of obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman upon being found to have destroyed camcorder footage recorded from the plane's cockpit.

Background

On the day of the disaster, the pilots were undergoing a low-attitude training mission, which is critical for optimal wartime "nap-of-the-earth" flying. Military regulations demanded that the plane have a minimum flying height of 1,000 feet, with restrictions regarding maximum speed and what manoeuvres could be conducted also enforced. This was in response to a Prowler jet crash that occurred in in Yuma, Ariz two years prior, killing all four crew members during a training exercise. But according to engineers belonging to the ski-lift company that owned the cable cars, the plane must have been flying at between 260 to 330 feet for it to have hit the cable based on estimations regarding how high the cables were off the ground.[2] Additionally, training flights within the Cavalese region were restricted to 2,000 feet, although an investigation board consisting of six U.S. Marine Corps officers, one U.S. Air Force officer, and one Italian Air Force officer found that ground supervisors failed to inform the crew about this.[3]

Italian investigators also discovered that the plane severed the ski lift cables at around 540 mph (870 km/h), which was essentially the plane's top speed. In the initial trial of Ashby and Schweitzer, Ashby claimed to have been unaware of any speed restrictions while they were conducting the mission. According to some eyewitness accounts, the plane was travelling so low and fast that it barely managed to navigate pass lakes, roads, houses and even over vehicles upon crossing a busy roadway, frightening some villagers in the process. Then-Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi claimed it was "a terrible act, a flight practically scraping the ground."[4]

Investigators also discovered that past the halfway mark of the training flight, the Prowler suddenly changed direction, veering left into the valleys. According to Italian Government officials, this was in violation of the agreed course and area limits for this exercise. The independent board blamed the aircrew for aggressively manoeuvring their aircraft, while the prosecution deemed that the crew had also conducted an unorthodox roll manoeuvre that further contributed to the plane going off course. All of these aspects contributed towards the disaster.[5] At around 3:12pm, Ashby saw the yellow cable car to his right, and banked sharply left and up in an attempt to avoid a collision. Ultimately, it was too late, and the Prowler's right wing severed through the cables that caused the cable car to plummet to the ground. All twenty on-board the car, including one operator, were killed. The Prowler suffered severe damage to its right wing and tail, which caused fuel and hydraulic oil to leak. Nevertheless, the plane successfully made an emergency landing at Aviano Air Base.[6] This was the second cable car disaster to have occurred in Cavalese, the other occurring in 1976 and taking 43 lives.[7]

In the initial trial, all four crew members, Ashby, Schweitzer, and Captains Chandler P. Seagraves and William L. Raney, were charged, but only the former two faced trial for twenty counts of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide. The defence for Ashby's trial claimed that the US military map provided by the Pentagon, was inadequate as it did not show where the cables were situated.[8] Ashby also argued that the plane's altimeter had malfunctioned.[9] On March 5th, 1999, a jury voted to acquit Ashby,[10] with Schweitzer's being dropped not long after Ashby's acquittal. This was much to the anger of many in Italy, which contributed towards further strain of Italian-US relations.[11]

Cockpit Videotape and Second Trial

Although acquitted of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide, Ashby and Schweitzer would face a second court martial for obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. During the investigation, it was discovered that a video camera was situated in the front cockpit of the Prowler, going against regulations. Upon attempting to examine the footage, all Italian investigators found was black.[12]

It was found that videotape shot from the Prowler's cockpit during part of its flight was destroyed by its crew.[13] Ashby and Schweitzer maintained that no information that could incriminate them was lost upon the videotape's destruction. The video camera's purpose was to capture the surrounding scenery, and according to Schweitzer, contained footage of him smiling prior to the accident occurring. This provided the motivation for him to destroy the footage, because of concern that television broadcast would picture him smiling alongside graphic imagery of the disaster's aftermath. Upon landing at Aviano Air Base, Ashby gave Schweitzer the tape, the latter claiming he then destroyed the footage by throwing it onto a bonfire.

However, because investigators were never able to view what was on the tape, prosecutors in the second trial claimed that the crew had destroyed the footage in an attempt to obstruct the trial. Consequentially, Ashby and Schweitzer were charged with obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Ashby was sentenced to six months in prison, dismissal from the Marines and the surrendering of all military pay and allowances. Because Schweitzer entered a plea agreement, he faced no prison time, but was also ultimately dismissed too.[14] An appeal by both pilots against their dismissals was rejected in November 2007.[15]

Availability

Because Schweitzer destroyed the videotape containing the footage, this recording will never be recovered. Hence, the only people that can recollect what was on that tape were the aircrew themselves. In a 2012 episode of Seconds From Disaster that discussed the disaster, titled "Cable Car Collision," Schweitzer summarised the footage as an "innocent record of a happy flight".

Gallery

Videos

Video discussing the disaster. WARNING: NSFL AS IT CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGERY SURROUNDING THE AFTERMATH. PLEASE DO NOT WATCH IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED OR DISTURBED BY GRAPHIC CONTENT.

Images

References

  1. International Civil Aviation Organization, which summarised the disaster. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  2. Tampa Bay Times, reporting on the disaster and investigation findings, including the estimated feet the plane was flying at by the time of the disaster. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  3. The Incident at Cavalese and Strategic Compensation, which discussed the investigation and its findings. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  4. The New York Times reporting on the investigation findings, including how the plane was essentially flying at top speed. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  5. BBC News article discussing the investigation findings, summarising the prosecution's claims the plane was going too low, too fast and had conducted an unorthodox roll manoeuvre. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  6. Independent article discussing the disaster, the plane's landing and the trials. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  7. BBC News article discussing the 1976 Cavalese cable car disaster. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  8. Washington Post article reporting that the US military map did not show the ski-lift cable. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  9. Devastating Disaster article mentioning the malfunctioning altimeter used in Ashby's defence. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  10. The Spokesman-Review reporting on Ashby's acquittal. Retrieved 20 June '21
  11. Guardian article reporting on the anger many Italians felt upon hearing the acquittal of Ashby. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  12. Washington Post article discussing the videotape and the alleged purpose of filming footage inside the cockpit. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  13. Lastampa reporting on the video footage being destroyed. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  14. BBC News article reporting on Ashby and Schweitzer being sentenced for destroying the videotape footage. Retrieved 20 Jun '21
  15. Repubblica.it reporting on the dismissal appeals being rejected. Retrieved 20 Jun '21