Overview

• The appellate proceedings are scheduled to run for two months through November 27, with witnesses and experts heard first and company representatives due to be questioned from October 27.
• Each company faces a potential fine of €225,000 if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
• Investigations found that Pitot speed-probe icing produced unreliable airspeed data, disorienting the crew and leading to a fatal descent in under five minutes.
• Of the 489 civil parties in the original case, 281 have joined the appeal seeking further judicial examination.
• Air France is accused of insufficient pilot training and crew information on probe-icing scenarios, and Airbus is accused of underestimating probe risks and delaying operator alerts, allegations both companies deny while pledging to cooperate.