A Paris appeals court has convicted Airbus and Air France of corporate manslaughter regarding the 2009 crash of flight AF447, which resulted in the deaths of 228 passengers and crew.
Key points
- The ruling overturns a 2023 lower court decision that had previously cleared both companies of criminal charges.
- The court imposed the maximum fine of 225,000 euros on each company for their roles in the disaster.
- Investigators previously determined that the flight crew mishandled a stall caused by iced-up Pitot sensors, while prosecutors highlighted failures in pilot training and safety communication.
- Legal experts anticipate further appeals to France's highest court, potentially extending the 17-year legal process.
Why it matters
This verdict concludes a long-standing legal battle over France's worst air disaster, establishing corporate criminal accountability for the loss of 228 lives.
Comments
No comments yet.