Air France and Airbus Cleared in Deadly 2009 Flight 447 Crash
Air France and Airbus have been found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter over the tragic 2009 crash of Flight 447 that killed 228 people.
Two-Month Trial Ends in Acquittal
The French court delivered its verdict after a gruelling two-month trial. Air France had already compensated the victims’ families following the disaster.
Crash Causes: Sensor Icing and Pilot Error
The official investigation pinned the crash on multiple factors, including icing of the plane’s pitot tubes—critical external sensors—and pilot error.
Accusations Over Training and Safety
Air France faced allegations of failing to provide proper training for dealing with pitot tube icing. Meanwhile, Airbus was accused of not adequately warning airlines and crews about pitot sensor issues or offering sufficient training to manage the risks.
Notably, the pitot tube model used on Flight 447 was subsequently banned and replaced after the crash.
