Still, the victims’ families see the trial itself as important after their long quest for justice, and aviation industry experts see it as significant for learning lessons that could prevent future crashes. No one risks prison, as only the companies are on trial. If convicted, each company faces potential fines of up to 225,000 euros ($219,000) - a fraction of their annual revenues.
The presiding judge called for calm and the proceedings resumed.Īir France has already compensated families of those killed. “Don’t talk to us about pain!” rose an angry voice. “For 13 years you have shown contempt for us!” one shouted.Īir France CEO Anne Rigail met similar emotions when she told the court she was aware of the families’ pain. The two-month trial is expected to focus on pilot error and the icing over of external sensors called pitot tubes.Īn Associated Press investigation at the time found that Airbus had known since at least 2002 about problems with the type of pitots used on the jet that crashed, but failed to replace them until after the crash.Īirbus CEO Guillaume Faury took the stand on the opening day to say: “I wanted to be present today, first of all to speak of my deep respect and deepest consideration for the victims loved ones.” The official investigation found that multiple factors contributed to the crash, and the companies deny criminal wrongdoing. The accident kiled all 228 people aboard and led to changes in air safety regulations. Airbus and Air France go on trial on manslaughter charges Monday over the crash of a Rio-Paris flight in 2009 that plunged into the Atlantic amid thunderstorms. This courtroom sketch by Cynthia Walsh shows CEO of Air France Anne Rigail, right, and Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, left, during the first day of the trial of Airbus and Air France companies, at the Paris courthouse, in Paris, Monday, Oct.
Another man came to the trial with a sign reading: “French Justice. … Thirteen years of waiting, it is almost inhuman,” said German Bernd Gans, who lost his daughter Ines in the crash. “It’s very important that we made it to the trial stage. The victims came from 33 countries, and families from around the world are among the plaintiffs in the case, fighting for more than a decade to see it come to trial. The crash of storm-tossed Flight 447 en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris killed all 228 people aboard and had lasting impact on the industry, leading to changes in regulations for airspeed sensors and in how pilots are trained. PARIS (AP) - Distraught families whose loved ones died in Air France’s worst-ever crash on Monday shouted down the CEOs of the airline and of planemaker Airbus as the two companies went on trial on manslaughter charges for the 2009 accident over the Atlantic Ocean.Ĭries of “Shame!” erupted in the courtroom after the executives took the stand.
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