Ruling in Concorde crash appeal expected Thursday

(AP) A French appeals court is set to decide whether to uphold a manslaughter conviction against Continental Airlines for the fiery crash of a supersonic Concorde jet that killed 113 people.

Continental Airlines, Inc. and one of its mechanics were convicted in 2010 for the July 2000 crash of the Air France Concorde, and handed about 2 million ($2.7 million) in damages and fines.

The lower court ruled that the mechanic fitted a faulty metal strip on a Continental DC-10 that fell onto the runway, puncturing the Concorde's tire, sending bits of rubber into the fuel tanks and starting the fire that brought down the plane.

The appeals court ruling is expected Thursday.

The Concorde, a symbol of luxury for decades, was taken out of service in 2003.