During their opening speeches, Air France CEO Anne Rigail and Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury were met with cries of “shame” and “too little, too late.”
Air France and Airbus have been charged with manslaughter in connection with a passenger airplane crash that killed all 228 people on board.
In June 2009, an A330 aircraft traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed into the Atlantic Ocean during a rainstorm. The Flight 447 catastrophe claimed lives from 33 different nations.
As the trial opened in the French capital, relatives of those murdered in the worst tragedy in Air France’s history yelled at the main executives of the firm.
During their opening speeches, Air France CEO Anne Rigail and Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury were met with cries of “shame” and “too little, too late.”
Mr. Faury stated, “I wanted to be present today to express my profound respect and compassion for the victims and their families.”
Family members yelled, “Shame on you!”
You have shown contempt for us for thirteen years!” added one.
Ms. Rigail was received with a similar reception when she informed the court that she understood the families suffering.
“Do not discuss suffering with us!” a furious voice exclaimed.
The hearings continued after the presiding judge appealed for calm.
The leaders of both companies have pled not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, and Air France has already reimbursed the victims’ families.
If found guilty, each company could face a fine of up to €225,000 (£197,000). No one faces incarceration, as only the corporations are on trial.
While the families view the trial as a crucial step in their pursuit of justice, aviation industry professionals view it as a crucial opportunity to learn lessons that could avert future catastrophes.
With 216 passengers and 12 staff members on board, the A330 airliner vanished from radar over the Atlantic Ocean between Brazil and Senegal.
Pilot error and the icing over of external sensors known as pitot tubes are intended to be the primary focus of the trial.
As a storm buffeted the aircraft, ice blocked the tubes, preventing speed and altitude readings and causing the autopilot to disconnect.
The crew resumed manual piloting with inaccurate navigation information.
The airplane subsequently entered an aerodynamic stall, its nose rises, and it crashes into the ocean.
It took two years to locate the jet and its black box recorders at a depth of over 4,000 feet on the ocean floor (4,000 meters).
Flight 447’s fate was the result of many circumstances, according to the study into the incident.
An examination by the Associated Press revealed that Airbus was aware of concerns with the pilots used on the plane that crashed since at least 2002, but did not replace them until after the accident.
Despite the concerns, Air France is accused of not having conducted training in the event of pitot probe icing. Since then, it has modified its training materials and simulations.
The corporation stated that it will demonstrate in court that “it did not commit a criminal act that caused the accident” and will plead not guilty.
In the meantime, Airbus is accused of knowing that the model of pitot tubes used on Flight 447 was defective and not doing enough to quickly alert airlines and their crews about it and assure training to limit the danger.
The Thales AA pitot in question was subsequently banned and replaced.
Airbus blames pilot error and informed investigators that sensor icing is an inherent hazard.
