Air France and Airbus Found Guilty of Corporate Manslaughter in 2009 Crash

Court Verdict

A Paris appeals court has found Air France and Airbus guilty of corporate manslaughter. The ruling pertains to the 2009 crash of Flight AF447, which traveled from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 228 passengers and crew.

This decision marks a reversal of a previous legal outcome, as the companies had been acquitted in a lower court three years prior. The crash is cited as the worst air disaster in the history of France.

Case Background

The incident involved Flight AF447, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean during its journey from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. Following the disaster, legal proceedings were initiated to determine liability for the loss of life.

According to court records, the trial for the case opened on October 10, 2022. Both Airbus and Air France were charged with involuntary manslaughter and both companies entered pleas of not guilty.

Legal Proceedings

The verdict delivered by the Paris appeals court concludes a lengthy legal process. While the companies previously avoided conviction in a lower court, the appeals court found both the airline and the aircraft manufacturer responsible for corporate manslaughter.