Rio-Paris flight crash trial: Airbus blames Air France pilots
The civil parties arrive at the Paris courthouse on October 10, 2022 to attend the trial of the companies Airbus and Air France in the case of the crash of the Rio-Paris Air France flight on June 1, 2009 which killed 228 people.
AFP - THOMAS SAMSON
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
At the trial of the crash of the Rio-Paris flight, this Tuesday, November 15 in Paris, Airbus rejected the fault on the pilots of Air France.
Questioned for the second day in a row, Christophe Cail, the manufacturer's representative - prosecuted with the airline for "involuntary homicides" following the death of 228 people in the crash of AF447 on June 1, 2009 - continued to try to clear Airbus.
Record of hearing.
Advertising
Read more
“It wasn't the icing of the Pitot probes that caused the plane to crash... It was pilot errors,” says Christophe Cail.
Jostled by Mr. Jakubowicz, lawyer for several civil parties, the legal representative of Airbus - himself a former test pilot - ends up clearly saying what he has been implying since the day before at the helm.
No more digressions, no longer technical explanations.
“
You shouldn't be afraid to say when there has been a mistake
,” insists Christophe Cail.
On the benches of the civil parties, a woman gets up and leaves.
Another shows her anger by applauding.
"
You would have done better than them?"
“, continues Me Jakubowicz.
"
I think I would have done better
," replies the Airbus executive without hesitation, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the lawyer's.
When it was Air France's turn to question him, one of the company's advisers protested and asked Christophe Cail to clarify his answer.
“
Nobody can say that what was done in this cockpit was what was expected of the pilots
,” explains the Airbus representative.
Then the lawyers of the two companies affirm it in unison: no non-aggression pact has been signed between them.
For some families of victims, these interrogations were very hard to live with.
Testimonials.
For some families of victims, these interrogations were very hard to live with - Testimonials
Marina of La Moissonniere
►
To read also Crash of the Rio-Paris flight: Airbus and Air France in court thirteen years after the tragedy
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Justice
France
Aeronautics
Companies