Court finds air traffic controllers not guilty over 2001 near miss

Court finds air traffic controllers not guilty over 2001 near miss

TOKYO, Japan - Hideki Hachitani (2nd from R) and Yasuko Momii (L), two air traffic controllers charged with professional negligence in causing injuries to passengers when two Japan Airlines planes almost collided in January 2001 over the Pacific off Shizuoka Prefecture, holds an ''innocence'' banner at a meeting of their supporters after they were found not guilty at the Tokyo District Court on March 20. The court ruled that they are not guilty, saying that they could not foresee the accident.

2 air controllers given suspended sentences

2 air controllers given suspended sentences

TOKYO, Japan - Yasuko Momii, an air traffic controller, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on April 11 after the Tokyo High Court overturned a lower court's verdict of not guilty and sentenced her to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, for negligence over a near collision in 2001 between two Japan Airlines planes over the Pacific. Hideki Hachitani, who was under Momii's supervision, received 12-month prison term, suspended for three years. (Kyodo)

Court finds air traffic controllers not guilty over 2001 near mi

Court finds air traffic controllers not guilty over 2001 near mi

TOKYO, Japan - Hideki Hachitani (fore) and Yasuko Momii, two air traffic controllers charged with professional negligence in causing injuries to passengers when two Japan Airlines planes almost collided in January 2001 over the Pacific off Shizuoka Prefecture, walk into the Tokyo District Court on March 20. The court ruled that they are not guilty, saying that they could not foresee the accident. (Kyodo)

Court finds air traffic controllers not guilty over 2001 near mi

Court finds air traffic controllers not guilty over 2001 near mi

TOKYO, Japan - Hideki Hachitani (2nd from R) and Yasuko Momii (L), two air traffic controllers charged with professional negligence in causing injuries to passengers when two Japan Airlines planes almost collided in January 2001 over the Pacific off Shizuoka Prefecture, holds an ''innocence'' placard at a meeting of their supporters after they were found not guilty at the Tokyo District Court on March 20. The court ruled that they are not guilty, saying that they could not foresee the accident. (Kyodo)