French court finds Air France, Airbus guilty of involuntary manslaughter over 2009 Rio-Paris crash
Summary
A Paris appeals court found Air France and Airbus guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the 2009 crash of Air France Flight AF447, which killed 228 people. Both companies were ordered to pay fines, marking a significant legal judgment after earlier acquittals.Key Facts
- The crash occurred on June 1, 2009, when Air France Flight AF447 flew from Rio de Janeiro to Paris and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.
- All 228 people on board—216 passengers and 12 crew members—died in the crash.
- The Airbus A330 aircraft involved was built by the company Airbus; the airline was Air France.
- The Paris appeals court ruled both companies "solely and entirely responsible" for involuntary manslaughter.
- Each company was fined 225,000 euros (about $261,000), the maximum penalty allowed for corporate manslaughter.
- Previously, a lower court had acquitted Air France and Airbus, and prosecutors initially wanted the case dismissed.
- The eight-week appeal trial took place between September and December 2025.
- The ruling may cause reputational damage for both Air France and Airbus despite the fines being symbolic.
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