Associated Press, "U.S. Pilots Charged in Brazil Jet Crash"

          Police on Friday formally accused two U.S. pilots in connection with Brazil's deadliest air disaster, saying their "lack of caution" at the controls of an executive jet played a role in the collision over the Amazon that killed 154 people. One of the pilots' lawyers, former Justice Minister Jose Carlos Dias, called the accusation biased and said police were simply "looking for someone to blame for the crime."
          If convicted of exposing an aircraft to danger, the men could face up to 12 years in prison apiece, Brazilian federal police said. Dias said the maximum sentence would fall to four years each if the factors leading to the collision were deemed unintentional. The pilots signed a legal document promising to return to Brazil for their trial or if required by local authorities. An extradition treaty between Brazil and the U.S. allows both countries to request the return of individuals if the offense committed is considered a crime by both nations.
          Lepore and Paladino were piloting a Brazilian-made Legacy executive jet on Sept. 29 when it collided with a Gol Airlines Boeing 737-800 heading south over the Amazon jungle. All 154 people aboard the Gol flight were killed, while the Legacy landed safely with all seven people aboard unharmed. Police filed the accusation because "elements and evidence in the investigation indicated a lack of caution necessary and expected from pilots during flight," police said in a statement.

Learn more about the crash of Gol Airlines Flight 1907 and lawsuits filed by the families of victims of the accident.