French court finds Airbus, Air France guilty in 2009 crash
DW.com • • world
Key Points:
- A French court found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter for the 2009 Rio-Paris crash, ordering each company to pay the maximum symbolic fine of €225,000.
- The court ruled that both companies were solely responsible for the crash, which killed all 228 people aboard Air France Flight 447 when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.
- Investigations revealed that the crash was caused by a combination of mechanical issues, including blocked pitot tubes, and human errors due to inadequate crew training and poor pilot-co-pilot communication.
- The legal process was delayed by the lengthy recovery of the wreckage and black box, as well as the slow pace of the French judicial system; Airbus and Air France plan to appeal the verdict.
- The case has highlighted ongoing concerns about pilot hierarchy and communication during emergencies in the aviation industry.