Peruvian Pilots Blame Control Tower For Crash

Fri., Nov. 8, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

An Aeroperu jet crashed into the sea last month, killing all 70 people aboard, because the Lima airport control tower gave the pilot a bad altitude reading, the airline pilots association said Thursday.

Association President Cesar Betalleluz said that even if crucial sensors on the plane had been sabotaged, as was reported Tuesday, the aircraft still would have been able to fly for a half-hour before the fatal Oct. 2 crash.

What caused the Boeing 757 to crash into the Pacific Ocean was a control tower report informing the pilot he was at 9,700 feet - moments before the plane slammed into waters off the Peruvian coast, Betalleluz said.

Although experts have questioned the role the tower radar played in the accident, this was the first authoritative accusation against the airport radar.

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Peruvian Pilots Blame Control Tower For Crash

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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