Rio-Paris crash inquiry urges better pilot training

Better pilot training is being called for after the black boxes of doomed Air France Flight 447 delivered their secrets.

Those manning the controls of the Rio to Paris flight ignored warnings and failed to follow textbook procedures according to a new report from the French BEA accident investigation authority.

“Neither of the co-pilots had received manual pilot training on how to regain control of a plane that has lost lift at high altitude,” BEA Chief Investigator Alain Bouillard told a news conference.

All 228 people on board died when the Airbus crashed into the Atlantic in 2009. The revelation that passengers were not aware the plane was crashing has given solace to bereaved relatives.

“From what we have been told, no-one realised,” said Corinne Soulas who lost her 24-year-old daughter and her husband in the crash. “For my mental and moral comfort, I am very pleased to hear this…..having had two loved ones on board.”

The report confirms that external sensors, likely obstructed by ice cystals, caused a temporary loss of reliable speed data for the crew. Air France and Airbus are being investigated for alleged manslaughter.

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