Jet’s Gauge Failed After Gondola Crash

An altimeter that should have warned a U.S. Marine pilot that his jet was flying too low seconds before it sheared a pair of ski lift cables in northern Italy, killing 20 people, malfunctioned twice in tests after the accident last year. Testifying in the Camp Lejeune, N.C., court-martial of Capt. Richard Ashby, electronics expert Robert Fitzgerald said he found the problem on the damaged EA-6B Prowler at the U.S. air base in Aviano, Italy. Ashby is charged with 20 counts of involuntary manslaughter, along with destruction of property and dereliction of duty. Prosecutors allege he was intentionally flying his surveillance jet too low and too fast.