Here is (probably) the major reason why there are no video cameras and
video recorders overlooking aircraft landings and take-offs at major
airports - because those that work and operate the airports are
cowards who don't want evidence of negligence and screw-ups caught on
tape. This mentality does NOT SERVE the flying public and we should
demand that such recording be performed routinely to fully document
incidents like this.

This is no different than requiring data recorders in the planes
themselves, and is certainly far less expensive to install and operate
and can supply IMPORTANT information that no-other currently installed
technology can. Not even ground radar has sufficient resolution to
pinpoint where a plane touches down, or rolls during touch down, or
applies brakes, or hits something, etc.

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http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Cana...61953-sun.html

$75M lawsuit filed on behalf of passengers

TORONTO -- A $75-million class-action lawsuit was filed yesterday
accusing Air France, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and Nav
Canada of negligence in the landing accident of an Airbus A340
commercial jet this week.

The lawsuit, filed in Ontario Superior Court in Brampton, names
Suzanne Deak of Toronto as the lone plaintiff, but the list of
claimants is expected to grow.

The suit was filed on behalf of all 297 passengers on board the plane
that skidded off Pearson airport's runway 24L before bursting into
flames on Tuesday.

All passengers, as well as the 12 crew members on board, survived the
crash; 43 people suffered minor injuries.

"We've got a bunch of people who have been hurt in some way and we
know the passengers didn't cause the accident," said Paul Miller, the
lawyer for the plaintiff.

"Someone else is at fault. ... Chances are that all three defendants
played a role in this accident."

Deak was returning to Toronto from a trip to Hungary when Air France
Flight 358 overshot the runway and skidded into Etobicoke Creek, 200
metres west of the landing strip.

She escaped the plane with minor back and neck injuries, but her
lawyer said she is struggling to cope with other effects of the crash.

"She is on medication for some psychological problems and she'll be
seeing her chiropractor and her doctor in the next few days because of
her back and neck injuries," said Miller.

It's too early to tell how many passengers will sign on to the suit,
he added, but it likely won't be the only one to come out of the
accident.

Those named in the suit have yet to respond and the claims have yet to
be tested in court.

Several Toronto lawyers have been in contact with passengers who plan
to take legal action.

Lawyer David Diamond has already spoken to at least 10 victims of the
crash.

He expects to file a class-action suit against the airline and the
airports authority in the coming weeks.