UPDATE: A new trial has just begun in Paris regarding France’s most catastrophic air disaster, the crash of Air France flight 447, which claimed the lives of all 228 passengers and crew on June 1, 2009. Airbus and Air France have both pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter as the court reviews critical evidence over the next two months.
DEVELOPING: Today’s proceedings follow a 2023 ruling that cleared both companies of corporate manslaughter. Prosecutors have appealed that decision, and families of the victims are determined to establish criminal wrongdoing. Emotional moments unfolded in the courtroom as relatives stood in silence while a judge read the names of those lost in the tragedy.
The Airbus A330 was en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris when it disappeared from radar screens and plunged into the Atlantic Ocean during a violent storm. Anne Rigail, CEO of Air France, expressed her condolences, stating, “It is forever engraved in our memories.” Meanwhile, Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, acknowledged the deep sorrow of the bereaved families, asserting, “Any accident is a failure.”
The crash investigation revealed that the pilots mishandled a temporary loss of data from iced-up speed sensors, leading to an aerodynamic stall. Previous trials indicated discussions between the two companies regarding issues with the sensors, known as “Pitot probes,” before the accident occurred.
Throughout the nine-week trial that preceded this appeal, a judge identified four acts of negligence by Airbus and one by Air France. However, these were deemed insufficient under French law to establish a direct link to the crash. This new trial will explore this connection further, as lawyers for the victims’ families aim to demonstrate that negligence led directly to the disaster.
“This is painful for the families to reopen everything 16 years later,” said Sebastien Busy, a lawyer representing victims’ relatives. “But it is essential to keep going and demonstrate that there was criminal culpability. If you take one of those acts of negligence away, then the accident would never have happened.”
As this trial unfolds, it remains a crucial moment for the families seeking justice for their loved ones. The court’s decision could reshape accountability in the aviation industry and provide closure for those who have endured years of grief.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The court will hear expert testimonies and technical evidence in the coming weeks, with a decision expected by late November. This trial not only holds the potential for legal consequences but also represents a long-awaited opportunity for families to confront the companies they hold responsible for the loss of their loved ones. Stay tuned for updates as this pivotal case develops.
