Overview

• The Paris Court of Appeal opened a two-month proceeding on September 29 with witness and expert testimony set first and company interrogations expected from October 27.
• The case returned on appeal after the criminal court cleared both firms in 2023 while recognizing civil responsibility.
• If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, each company faces a maximum fine of about €225,000.
• Air France chief executive Anne Rigail told the court the airline committed no criminal fault, and both companies said they will cooperate with the process.
• Flight recorders recovered in 2011 showed iced Pitot probes produced unreliable airspeed data and led to loss of control, a central issue alongside pilot training and safety communications.