A French appeals court has reopened the trial of Air France and Airbus over the 2009 crash of Flight AF447, which resulted in the deaths of all 228 people on board.
The new trial commenced on Monday, 16 years after the disaster, following an appeal by prosecutors against the 2023 acquittal of both companies on charges of involuntary manslaughter.
The original investigation revealed that the aircraft's speed sensors, known as pitot tubes, became obstructed by ice crystals during a storm over the Atlantic Ocean. This malfunction led to the autopilot disengaging and the pilots' loss of critical speed data. Subsequent actions by the flight crew resulted in the aircraft entering an aerodynamic stall and crashing into the ocean.
In 2023, a Paris court acquitted Air France and Airbus, stating that while there were instances of negligence, there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct causal link between these faults and the crash. However, prosecutors argued that the companies' failures to address known issues with the pitot tubes and to adequately train pilots contributed to the disaster, prompting the appeal.
The retrial is expected to delve deeper into the technical and operational failures that led to the crash. Families of the victims have expressed hope that the new proceedings will provide clarity and accountability. The court proceedings are scheduled to continue until 27 November, 2025.
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