Skyguide controller and Air Force pilot charged with manslaughter in F/A-18 crash at Susten Pass

Zurich, Switzerland - A Skyguide air traffic controller and an Air Force pilot have been charged with manslaughter and other offenses related to the fatal plane accident involving an F/A-18 C Hornet in the Susten Pass area in August 2016. The military judiciary has brought charges against the two, who are said to be complicit in the tragedy that claimed the life of the pilot.

According to the investigating judge's final report, the accident occurred during combat flight training. The two-man patrol started at Meiringen Air Base, with the pilot who later had the accident flying 15 seconds behind the leader. The pilot wanted to switch his radar to the leader's aircraft so that he could follow him with his radar. However, this failed because the leader flew too steep an angle of climb.

The rear pilot then contacted the Meiringen air traffic controller to receive further instructions. The controller gave him the instruction to climb to an altitude of 10,000 feet (3048 m), which the pilot carried out. 58 seconds after this last radio communication, the pilot collided with the west flank of Hinter Tierberg at an altitude of 3319 m above sea level. The aircraft was completely destroyed by the impact, and the pilot died in the process.

The air traffic controller and the pilot were charged with negligent homicide, negligent non-compliance with service regulations, negligent disruption of public transport, and negligent accused of misuse and the squandering of material. The investigating judge's final report identified the two as responsible for the tragedy.

The charges highlight the importance of strict adherence to safety regulations in air traffic control and flight operations. The Air Force and Skyguide have yet to issue statements regarding the charges against their personnel. The case is expected to go to trial later this year.