California plane crash attorneys are expecting a verdict on the devastating Concorde Air France plane crash in France in 2000 soon. Continental Airlines Inc. and five individuals have been charged with manslaughter in the crash that killed 113 people.

The crash, which occurred in July 2000, set into motion a chain of events which finally ended with the termination of Concord services in 2003. On July 21, 2000, the Air France jet was on its way from Charles De Gaulle International Airport in Paris to JFK Airport in New York. Investigators later found that a Continental Airlines plane had lost a titanium part when it took off from Charles de Gaulle airport. Later, when the Concorde made its takeoff on the same runway, this titanium piece, which was still lying on the runway, ruptured the tire of the Concord, causing it to burst. That set off a series of adverse events, and finally led to the rupture of the fuel tank which burst into flames. Soon, a large plume of fire was trailing the Concorde, even as it took off. The pilots were unable to maintain control of the plane, and it crashed into a nearby hotel.

The investigation into the crash has also been dogged by controversy. In France, a plane crash must be followed by a separate civil and criminal investigation. Patient safety experts believe that these dual investigations have caused immense delays in the Concorde investigation. The criminal trial began about 10 years after the crash. According to several plane safety experts, there is no need for two investigations, because investigators often get in each other's way. This often causes conflicts, and it does little for the speed of the investigation. Besides, there's also lots of pressure on witnesses, who may be under threat of prosecution. It's hard to get witnesses to come out and testify when they have even the slightest doubt that they will be prosecuted.

However, the legal system in France does not afford their aviation accident attorneys the means or the resources to conduct their own investigations, unlike California plane crash lawyers, who will almost certainly conduct their own probe into a crash.