A Paris appeals court has found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter in connection with the 2009 crash of Flight AF447. The ruling overturns a previous acquittal and marks a rare instance of companies being found criminally liable for a jetliner crash. The court ruled that the French flag carrier and the aerospace manufacturer were solely and entirely responsible for the disaster.
On June 1, 2009, the passenger jet was traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris when the pilots lost control while cruising over the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft plunged into the sea, killing all 228 passengers and crew. The victims were mainly French, Brazilian, and German, and the event stands as the worst air disaster in French aviation history.
The verdict follows a 17-year legal marathon involving two of France's most emblematic companies. Daniele Lamy, whose son was among those killed, stated that justice has absolutely been done. Despite the ruling, Airbus and Air France are challenging the verdict and plan to file an appeal with France's highest court.