Airbus and Air France back in court over 2009 plane crash

Sixteen years after the crash of flight AF447, a new court case against Air France and Airbus is beginning. In 2009, an Airbus A330 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean during a night flight from Rio to Paris. All 228 people on board were killed.

In 2023, a court of first instance acquitted both companies of negligence charges. However, the victims' relatives appealed. The new trial before the French Court of Appeal is expected to last two months and will determine whether there is a direct link between previously established negligence and the accident.

Investigations revealed that the pilots responded incorrectly to the temporary failure of the speed indicators, which were blocked by icing. Ignoring warnings, they caused the aircraft to stall—a free fall.

The families' lawyers argue that the disaster could have been prevented if even a single mistake had been avoided. Airbus and Air France deny any responsibility. Although the maximum penalty is €225,000, prosecutors believe the new trial may bring some cathartic justice to the families.

The AF447 disaster is one of the most discussed accidents in aviation history and led to far-reaching changes in training and technology.

(reuters, max)