Spanair will continue to fly its 36-strong fleet of MD-82 aircraft as the investigation continues into the fatal crash of one of its MD-82s on Aug. 20 at Madrid's Barajas International Airport.

The airline has confirmed that the flight was delayed for more than an hour before the accident because of a faulty total air temperature sensor. That sensor was shut off by mechanics.

Spanair says there is no link between this maintenance issue and the accident. Also, the MD-82's minimum equipment list allows flights without the sensor operative.

Spanair's flight JK 5022 from Madrid to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria crashed on takeoff killing 153 people of the 172 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft appears to have left the runway surface for a brief period of time before veering to the right and crashing into rocky terrain on the side of Barajas' runway 18L/36R.

The cockpit voice and flight data recorders have been recovered from the wreckage.

Image: Screengrab from Spanair site