Airbus, Air France face criminal trial over Rio-Paris crash

By NICOLAS VAUX-MONTAGNY and JEFFREY SCHAEFFER
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Airbus and Air France have gone on trial on manslaughter charges over the crash of a Rio de Janeiro to Paris flight in 2009 that plunged into the Atlantic amid thunderstorms. The crash killed all 228 people aboard and led to changes in air safety regulations. The worst plane crash in Air France history killed people of 33 nationalities. And families from around the world are among the plaintiffs in the case. The companies insist they are not criminally responsible. And Air France has already compensated families. The trial that began Monday is expected to focus on the icing over of external sensors called pitot tubes. And also pilot error.