An appeals trial has begun in Paris against Air France and Airbus over the 2009 crash of Flight AF447 from Rio to Paris, which killed all 228 people on board. The Airbus A330 plunged into the Atlantic after pilots lost control when speed sensors froze mid-flight — the deadliest accident in Air France’s history.
Both companies were acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in 2023, with the court acknowledging negligence but finding no direct causal link to the crash. Families of the victims condemned the verdict as unjust, prompting prosecutors to appeal.
The case focuses on faulty pitot tubes and whether Airbus and Air France failed to act on known risks and provide adequate pilot training. If convicted, both firms face fines and reputational damage. The appeals trial is scheduled to conclude on November 27.