Airbus to take measures after Rio-Paris crash report

Airbus said on Thursday that it would take all necessary measures, after a French accident investigation report into the 2009 crash of an A330 jet from Rio de Janeiro to Paris in which 228 people died, partly blamed the plane’s ergonomics.

Reuters/Benoit Tessier

Airbus said it had “already started work at an industrial level to reinforce demands concerning the Pitot speed sensors”, which were also called into question by the investigation.

The final report released on Thursday by the French aviation safety authority, BEA, said the plane crashed into the Atlantic because of both human and technical failings.

The report made 25 new safety recommendations on top of the 25 called for in a July 2011 report.

BEA said the drama began with the malfunctioning of speed sensors, known as Pitots, manufactured by the French company, Thales, which have since been replaced on Airbus planes.

The crew was in a state of almost total loss of control of the situation, the investigation chief Alain Bouillard told journalists

The BEA report stressed the importance of “pilots’ training, so that they have a better knowledge of the plane’s systems in the event of an unusual destination.”

The report’s findings were eagerly awaited amid a bitter row between Airbus and Air France over who ultimately bears responsibility for the crash.

Air France has insisted the pilots were not to blame, saying the stall alarm had malfunctioned.

French magistrates are investigating Air France and Airbus for alleged manslaughter in connection with the crash.

Victims’ families had previously alleged that the involvement of big French corporations, such as Airbus and Air France was influencing the probe into the causes of the disaster.

A separate judicial report is to be presented to families next Tuesday.