Air France and Airbus guilty of corporate manslaughter for 2009 plane crash
The Guardian • • world
Key Points:
- A Paris appeals court found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter over the 2009 Rio-Paris crash that killed 228 people, marking a significant development in a 17-year legal battle.
- The court imposed the maximum fines of €225,000 each on both companies, though these penalties are considered symbolic given the firms' revenues.
- The crash investigation revealed that the flight crew mishandled iced-up sensors, leading to a stall, but prosecutors focused on alleged negligence by Airbus and Air France regarding training and safety follow-ups.
- Families of the victims view the conviction as an important acknowledgment of their suffering, while further appeals to France’s highest court are expected, potentially prolonging the legal process.
- The appeals trial involved a complete review of evidence, shifting future legal focus from the technical causes of the crash to legal arguments surrounding corporate responsibility.