Marine Fliers Disliked Curbs, Witness Says

Crews of Marine Prowler jets like the one that sliced through a gondola cable in the Italian Alps last February resented altitude restrictions that were imposed after a crash two years ago, an instructor testified Wednesday.

The statement came during the second day of a hearing to determine whether the two back-seat crewmen aboard the jet, Capts. Chandler Seagraves, 28, and William Raney II, 26, should be court-martialed for the accident that killed 20 people Feb. 3.

Meanwhile, President Clinton and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi played down tensions caused by the deaths.

At a joint news conference, Clinton said that the incident was “a horrible human tragedy” and that “my regret is profound.” He said he would ensure that “we behave in a completely honorable way” in response. Prodi said he was awaiting developments but added, “I’ve seen a deep involvement of the American political authorities.”

The two Marines and the pilot and navigator of the EA-6B Prowler face 20 counts each of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide. Each charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Capt. Michael George, a Prowler tactics instructor, testified Wednesday that in August 1996, four EA-6B Prowler crew members died in a crash at a Yuma, Ariz., air base.

At the time, Prowlers were allowed to perform training runs at 200 feet, but after the crash, altitude restrictions were raised to 500 feet and later 1,000 feet, he said.

“Tactically speaking, you’re not going to find anyone who’s happy with having to make that change,” George said.

A navigation expert also testified Wednesday that flight information recorder data showed the Prowler that cut the cable was well below the 1,000-foot restriction Americans thought existed. It was later discovered the Italian government had established a 2,000-foot limit because of noise complaints.