ATLANTIC OCEAN — 2009 · Major Tragedy
The Air France Flight 447 Disaster
Air France Flight 447, an Airbus A330 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, disappeared from radar while crossing a storm system over the Atlantic on the night of 1 June 2009 and crashed into the ocean. All 228 people aboard died. The first wreckage and bodies were found within days, but the flight recorders were not recovered from more than 4,000 metres down until May 2011. The 2012 final report of France's BEA found that ice crystals had blocked the airspeed sensors, causing the autopilot to disconnect, and that the crew's incorrect responses led to an unrecoverable stall. Acquitted in 2023, Airbus and Air France were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on appeal in May 2026.
- Date
- 2009
- Place
- Off Brazil, near the St Peter and St Paul Archipelago, Atlantic Ocean, BR
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 3.0657, -30.5617 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 1 June 2009The aircraft crashed into the Atlantic; 228 people died.
- May 2011The flight recorders were recovered from the ocean floor.
- 5 July 2012The BEA published its final report.
- 17 April 2023Airbus and Air France were acquitted at first instance.
- 21 May 2026Both companies were found guilty on appeal.
Sources
- BBC News — Air France crash: Trial ordered for Airbus and airline bbc.co.uk ↗
- The Guardian — Air France plane: 'No hope' of survivors theguardian.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Air France Flight 447 en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC News
- The Guardian
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.