Airbus and Air France have been convicted of involuntary manslaughter over the 2009 crash of Flight AF447, one of the deadliest aviation disasters in French history. A Paris appeals court ruled Thursday that both companies bore responsibility for the crash that killed all 228 people on board. Each was ordered to pay the maximum fine under French law: 225,000 euros ($260,600) for every victim, totaling roughly $120 million. The verdict marks a rare instance of an aircraft manufacturer and an airline being held criminally liable for a major jetliner crash, reported WSJ.
The Airbus A330 was flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris when it encountered severe weather over the Atlantic. The plane’s Pitot tubes — sensors that measure airspeed — iced over, causing conflicting speed readings and triggering repeated stall warnings in the cockpit.
Investigators found that the pilots, facing confusing information, pulled the nose of the aircraft upward, which caused it to stall. They were unable to recover control, and the plane plunged into the ocean. It took nearly two years to locate the wreckage and recover the flight recorders.
Air France was found at fault for inadequate pilot training on how to handle high-altitude stall situations. Airbus was criticized for knowing about the vulnerability of the Pitot tubes but failing to address the risk adequately at the time.
Airbus said it would appeal the decision to France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation. In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to aviation safety and learning from past incidents.Air France did not immediately comment on the ruling.The crash prompted significant changes across the industry, including improved pilot training for high-altitude stalls and upgrades to airspeed sensors on the A330.This is the latest chapter in a long legal battle that began with charges filed in 2011. After years of hearings and appeals, Thursday’s decision brings some closure for the families of the victims, though Airbus plans to continue fighting the conviction.
Working as Copy Editor at the Business Desk of Times Now Digital. Dedicated towards crafting interesting financial stories. Previously covered financi...View More
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
