Air France 2009 crash verdict sparks mixed emotions among victims’ families

A Paris appeals court has found Airbus and Air France guilty of manslaughter in connection with the 2009 crash of Flight 447 from Rio to Paris, which killed 228 passengers and crew. Despite this verdict, the Brazilian head of a victims' association stated that justice has not yet been served. Both Air France and Airbus have announced their intention to appeal the ruling, which could extend the legal proceedings for years. Nelson Faria Marinho, who lost his son in the crash, expressed his continued dissatisfaction with the outcome.

A Paris appeal court has found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter in relation to the 2009 Rio-Paris plane crash. This disaster resulted in the deaths of 228 passengers and crew, making it France's worst air disaster. The verdict marks a significant development in a lengthy legal process for the families of the victims, who were primarily French, Brazilian, and German. The Airbus A330 aircraft disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean during a storm. Relatives have been engaged in a 17-year legal battle to determine responsibility for the crash.

A Paris appeals court has found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter in connection with the 2009 Rio-Paris plane crash that killed 228 people. The court imposed the maximum fine of €225,000 on each company, a decision that prosecutors had requested. This verdict follows a lower court's acquittal of the two companies in 2023. The crash, which occurred when an Airbus A330 vanished during an Atlantic storm, involved victims of various nationalities. Investigators had previously identified mishandling of iced-up sensors by the flight crew as a cause, but prosecutors focused on alleged negligence by the planemaker and airline, including training deficiencies. Both companies have denied the charges and are expected to appeal the ruling.

A French appeals court has found Airbus and Air France guilty of manslaughter in the 2009 crash of flight AF447, which killed 228 people en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. The court ruled both companies solely responsible and ordered them to pay a maximum fine of 225,000 euros per passenger. This ruling overturns a 2023 acquittal of the companies, who had denied all charges. Victims' families sought justice after the lengthy legal process. Airbus has announced its intention to appeal the decision to France's highest court, stating the ruling contradicts previous findings and prosecutor submissions. The crash occurred on June 1, 2009, following a sensor malfunction.