An appeals court in France has exonerated Continental Airlines of criminal blame for a July 2000 crash of a Concorde jet that killed 113 people.
Continental, now absorbed into United Airlines, appealed a December 2010 ruling that the crash was partially caused by criminal negligence of Continental and one of the airline’s mechanics.
"We have long maintained that neither Continental nor its employees were responsible for this tragic event and are satisfied that this verdict was overturned," United Continental Holdings said in a statement.
Continental may still face civil liability, according to the court.
During the takeoff of a Continental DC-10 from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on July 25, 2000, investigators said a titanium strip fell on the runway, and that the Concorde struck the debris when it subsequently took off. The Concorde blew a tire, burst into flames and crashed into an airport hotel.