Appeal Filed by Prosecutor Overturning Rio-Paris Plane Crash Verdict Exonerating Air France and Airbus of Manslaughter Charges
A French public prosecutor is challenging a court ruling that cleared Airbus and Air France of “involuntary manslaughter” in connection with a plane crash in 2009.
Earlier this month, a French court acquitted the companies of the charge after a public trial relating to the disappearance of a plane en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris during an Atlantic storm.
The families of the victims had sought to hold the companies criminally liable for France’s worst-ever aviation disaster, with the trial considering whether Airbus had acted too slowly and whether Air France had provided sufficient training to its pilots.
Both firms had denied the charges, which carry a maximum corporate fine of €225,000 ($246,000). Air France-KLM declined to comment on the appeal, while Airbus made no immediate statement.
In a recent development, Air France and Airbus have been acquitted by a French court in relation to the disappearance of a plane en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris during an Atlantic storm. This came after a public trial that was brought by the families of the victims who sought to hold the companies criminally liable for France’s worst-ever aviation disaster.
The trial considered whether Airbus had acted too slowly and whether Air France had provided sufficient training to its pilots. Both companies denied the charges, which carried a maximum corporate fine of €225,000 ($246,000).
The verdict has been met with mixed reactions from the families of the victims, with some expressing disappointment and others feeling that justice has not been served. Many are now looking to appeal the decision in the hopes of securing a different outcome.
Air France-KLM declined to comment on the appeal, while Airbus made no immediate statement. It remains to be seen what the next steps will be in this ongoing case.
This verdict highlights the complexities of holding companies accountable for incidents such as these, and the challenges that families face in seeking justice for their loved ones. It also raises important questions about the responsibilities of airlines and aircraft manufacturers in ensuring the safety of their passengers and crew.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, it is crucial that these issues are addressed and that measures are put in place to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The families of the victims will undoubtedly continue to fight for justice and hold those responsible to account.
