Air France and Airbus to stand trial over fatal 2009 Paris-Rio crash

Air France and Airbus are to stand trial over the 2009 Paris-Rio de Janeiro crash, which killed 228 people, a source from the prosecutor's department said on Wednesday.

The trial will evaluate the events that took place on 1 June 2009 when flight AF447 plunged into the Atlantic Ocean.

Investigators said that the crash was caused by pilot errors due to disorientation brought on by faulty speed monitoring equipment.

The general prosecutor’s office is calling for a manslaughter trial against both companies.

Prosecutors accuse Air France of indirectly causing the tragedy by failing to provide the necessary training for pilots in such these situations.

Lawyers for Airbus immediately said that they would lodge an appeal.