The Paris Court of Appeal on Thursday (21) convicted Airbus and Air France of involuntary manslaughter in the AF 447 Rio-Paris crash that killed 228 people in 2009 — reversing a 2023 acquittal and imposing maximum fines of 225,000 euros on each company. The decision considers the companies the "sole responsible parties" for France's worst aviation tragedy, 17 years after the accident. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A companhia aérea Air France e a fabricante Airbus foram condenadas por homicídios culposos pela Justiça da França, nesta quinta-feira (21), 17 anos após o acidente do voo AF 447 Rio-Paris, que matou 228 pessoas, em 2009"
"A nova sentença as considera as "únicas responsáveis" pela maior tragédia da aviação francesa, e impõe a multa máxima de 225 mil euros"
The appeals court applied a "causal chain" theory, rejecting arguments that the crash resulted solely from pilot error. According to Aviation24.be, judges described the tragedy as a "foretold catastrophe" that could have been avoided if the companies had taken known risks more seriously. The court found that Airbus underestimated the seriousness of recurring Pitot tube failures and failed to adequately warn airlines, while Air France was faulted for insufficient pilot training. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"The court ruled that the disaster resulted from a long "causal chain" of failures by both companies rather than from pilot error alone. Judges described the crash as a "foretold catastrophe" that could have been avoided if Airbus and Air France had taken the known risks more seriously."
"The appeals court found that Airbus had underestimated the seriousness of recurring Pitot tube failures and failed to adequately warn airlines. Air France was faulted for insufficient pilot training and for not responding strongly enough to previous similar incidents."
The decision acknowledged that pilots made errors during the final minutes of the flight but concluded they had not been properly prepared for such an extreme situation. The presiding judge stated that the crew "did everything they could" and that their professionalism was not fundamentally in question. The accident occurred when Pitot tubes froze at high altitude, causing incorrect speed readings that led to loss of aircraft control over the Atlantic Ocean. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"While the court acknowledged that the pilots made errors during the final minutes of the flight, it concluded that they had not been properly prepared for such an extreme and complex situation. The presiding judge stated that the crew "did everything they could" and that their professionalism was not fundamentally in question."
Airbus announced it will appeal to France's Court of Cassation, claiming the decision contradicts both prosecution statements and the 2023 first-instance acquittal. The correctional court had found in April 2023 that while there were "imprudences" and "negligences," it was not possible to demonstrate a "certain causal link" to the accident. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A Airbus informou que recorrerá da nova sentença perante a Corte de Cassação da França. Em comunicado, a empresa afirmou que a decisão contradiz tanto as manifestações do Ministério Público quanto a absolvição de 2023."
"os magistrados consideraram que, embora tenham cometido "imprudências" e "negligências", "não foi possível demonstrar (...) nenhum nexo causal seguro" com o acidente."
The AF 447 crash killed 228 people of 33 nationalities on June 1, 2009
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
Air France was criticized for not adequately informing crews about Pitot tube failures
Conflicting versions (1)
Data da decisão do tribunal de apelação
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What legal precedent does this decision set for future cases of corporate criminal liability in aviation accidents in France?
Why it's still unknown: Sources do not contextualize whether this is the first criminal conviction of a manufacturer and airline for manslaughter in France or how it relates to similar precedents
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What civil compensation amounts will the companies pay to victims' families?
Why it's still unknown: Coverage mentions only criminal fines of 225,000 euros but does not specify civil reparation amounts to families
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What is the timeframe for Airbus' appeal to the Court of Cassation and what are the chances of reversal?
Why it's still unknown: Air France has not yet announced appeal plans, and there is no information about procedures and deadlines for Airbus' announced appeal
Did not cover: Diário do Nordeste