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Paris appeals court finds Airbus, Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter in 2009 Rio-Paris plane crash

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 21, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: May 21, 2026

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Paris appeals court finds Airbus, Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter in 2009 Rio-Paris plane crash

Guilty Verdict and Legal Proceedings

(Corrects day in paragraph 1 to Thursday, not Wednesday)

Details of the Court Ruling

PARIS, May 21 (Reuters) - A Paris appeals court on Thursday found Airbus and Air France guilty of corporate manslaughter in the 2009 Rio-Paris plane crash that killed 228 passengers and crew in France's worst air disaster, ordering both companies to pay the maximum fine of €225,000 each.

Background and Legal Context

The verdict is the latest milestone in a 17-year legal marathon involving two of France's most emblematic companies and relatives of the mainly French, Brazilian and German victims, with French lawyers predicting further appeals to the country's highest court.

Reporting and Authorship

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Writing by Makini Brice)

Key Takeaways

  • The appeals court concluded negligence by both companies—Airbus for failing to urgently address faulty Pitot‐tube issues and Air France for inadequate pilot training—but found causation significant enough for criminal liability.
  • The conviction marks a reversal of a 2023 lower‐court acquittal that cited lack of proven causal link despite acknowledged negligence (internazionale.it).
  • Legal experts predict additional appeals to France’s highest court, potentially extending the judicial process and prolonging closure for victims’ families (internazionale.it)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What companies were found guilty in the 2009 Rio-Paris plane crash?
Airbus and Air France were both found guilty of corporate manslaughter by a Paris appeals court.
What was the penalty for Airbus and Air France?
Both companies were ordered to pay the maximum fine of €225,000 each.
How many people died in the 2009 Rio-Paris air disaster?
228 passengers and crew members died in the crash.
Will there be further legal appeals in this case?
French lawyers predict further appeals to the country's highest court.
Why is the 2009 Rio-Paris crash significant for France?
It is France's worst air disaster, involving mainly French, Brazilian, and German victims.

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