Preview of manslaughter trial of Airbus and Air France

Aviation industry heavyweights Airbus and Air France are charged with manslaughter in a trial that opens on Monday in Paris over the crash of Flight 447 on June 1, 2009. The worst plane crash in Air France history killed people of 33 nationalities and had lasting impact, leading to changes in air safety regulations, how pilots are trained and the use of airspeed sensors.

The Airbus A300-200 disappeared from radars over the Atlantic Ocean between Brazil and Senegal with 216 passengers and 12 crew members aboard. No one risks prison in this case; only the companies are on trial. Each faces potential fines of up to 225,000 euros - a fraction of their annual revenues - but they could suffer reputational damage if found criminally responsible.

Air France is accused of not having implemented training in the event of icing of the pitot probes. Airbus is accused of having known the model of pitot tubes on Flight 447 was faulty, and not doing enough to urgently inform airlines and their crews and to ensure training to mitigate the resulting risk. The proceedings are scheduled to last through early December, with a ruling at a later date.