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Air France Flight 447

Updated: Wikipedia source

Air France Flight 447

Air France Flight 447 was a scheduled international transatlantic passenger flight from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, France, that crashed into the mid-Atlantic Ocean on 1 June 2009 killing all 228 passengers and crew on board. The incident, which occurred on an Airbus A330, happened because inconsistent airspeed indications and resulting miscommunication between the pilots led to an unrecoverable stall. The Brazilian Navy recovered the first major wreckage and two bodies from the sea within five days of the crash. The aircraft's flight recorders were not recovered from the ocean floor until May 2011, nearly two years after the accident. France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety final report, released at a press conference on 5 July 2012, concluded that the aircraft suffered temporary inconsistencies between the airspeed measurements—likely resulting from ice crystals obstructing the aircraft's pitot tubes—which caused the autopilot to disconnect. The crew reacted incorrectly to this, causing the aircraft to enter an aerodynamic stall which the pilots failed to correct. The accident is the deadliest in the history of Air France, as well as the deadliest aviation accident involving the Airbus A330. On 21 May 2026 Airbus and Air France were both found guilty of corporate manslaughter. Each company was sentenced to pay the maximum fine of €225,000 ($261,112).

Infobox

Date
1 June 2009
Summary
Entered high-altitude stall, impacted ocean
Site
South Atlantic Ocean near waypoint TASIL 3°03′57″N 30°33′42″W / 3 °N 30 °W / 3 ; -30
Aircraft type
Airbus A330-203
Operator
Air France
IATA flight No.
AF447
ICAO flight No.
AFR447
Call sign
AIRFRANS 447
Registration
F-GZCP
Flight origin
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Destination
Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France
Occupants
228
Passengers
216
Crew
12
Fatalities
228
Survivors
0

Tables

Final tally of passenger nationalities · Passengers and crew
Argentina
Argentina
Nationality
Argentina
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Austria
Austria
Nationality
Austria
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Belgium
Belgium
Nationality
Belgium
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Brazil
Brazil
Nationality
Brazil
Passengers
58
Crew
1
Total
59
Canada
Canada
Nationality
Canada
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
China
China
Nationality
China
Passengers
9
Crew
0
Total
9
Croatia
Croatia
Nationality
Croatia
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Denmark
Denmark
Nationality
Denmark
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Estonia
Estonia
Nationality
Estonia
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
France
France
Nationality
France
Passengers
61
Crew
11
Total
72
Gabon
Gabon
Nationality
Gabon
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Germany
Germany
Nationality
Germany
Passengers
26
Crew
0
Total
26
Hungary
Hungary
Nationality
Hungary
Passengers
4
Crew
0
Total
4
Iceland
Iceland
Nationality
Iceland
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Ireland
Ireland
Nationality
Ireland
Passengers
3
Crew
0
Total
3
Italy
Italy
Nationality
Italy
Passengers
9
Crew
0
Total
9
Lebanon
Lebanon
Nationality
Lebanon
Passengers
3
Crew
0
Total
3
Morocco
Morocco
Nationality
Morocco
Passengers
3
Crew
0
Total
3
Netherlands
Netherlands
Nationality
Netherlands
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Norway
Norway
Nationality
Norway
Passengers
3
Crew
0
Total
3
Philippines
Philippines
Nationality
Philippines
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Poland
Poland
Nationality
Poland
Passengers
2
Crew
0
Total
2
Romania
Romania
Nationality
Romania
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Russia
Russia
Nationality
Russia
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Slovakia
Slovakia
Nationality
Slovakia
Passengers
3
Crew
0
Total
3
South Africa
South Africa
Nationality
South Africa
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
South Korea
South Korea
Nationality
South Korea
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
Spain
Spain
Nationality
Spain
Passengers
2
Crew
0
Total
2
Sweden
Sweden
Nationality
Sweden
Passengers
1 (2)
Crew
0
Total
1 (2)
Switzerland
Switzerland
Nationality
Switzerland
Passengers
6
Crew
0
Total
6
Turkey
Turkey
Nationality
Turkey
Passengers
1
Crew
0
Total
1
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Nationality
United Kingdom
Passengers
5
Crew
0
Total
5
United States
United States
Nationality
United States
Passengers
2
Crew
0
Total
2
Total
Total
Nationality
Total
Passengers
216
Crew
12
Total
228
Notes: Nationalities shown are as stated by Air France on 1 June 2009. Attributing nationality was complicated by the holding of multiple citizenship by several passengers. Passengers who had citizenship in one country but were attributed to another country by Air France are indicated with parentheses ().
Notes: Nationalities shown are as stated by Air France on 1 June 2009. Attributing nationality was complicated by the holding of multiple citizenship by several passengers. Passengers who had citizenship in one country but were attributed to another country by Air France are indicated with parentheses ().
Nationality
Notes: Nationalities shown are as stated by Air France on 1 June 2009. Attributing nationality was complicated by the holding of multiple citizenship by several passengers. Passengers who had citizenship in one country but were attributed to another country by Air France are indicated with parentheses ().
Nationality
Passengers
Crew
Total
Argentina
1
0
1
Austria
1
0
1
Belgium
1
0
1
Brazil
58
1
59
Canada
1
0
1
China
9
0
9
Croatia
1
0
1
Denmark
1
0
1
Estonia
1
0
1
France
61
11
72
Gabon
1
0
1
Germany
26
0
26
Hungary
4
0
4
Iceland
1
0
1
Ireland
3
0
3
Italy
9
0
9
Lebanon
3
0
3
Morocco
3
0
3
Netherlands
1
0
1
Norway
3
0
3
Philippines
1
0
1
Poland
2
0
2
Romania
1
0
1
Russia
1
0
1
Slovakia
3
0
3
South Africa
1
0
1
South Korea
1
0
1
Spain
2
0
2
Sweden
1 (2)
0
1 (2)
Switzerland
6
0
6
Turkey
1
0
1
United Kingdom
5
0
5
United States
2
0
2
Total
216
12
228
Notes: Nationalities shown are as stated by Air France on 1 June 2009. Attributing nationality was complicated by the holding of multiple citizenship by several passengers. Passengers who had citizenship in one country but were attributed to another country by Air France are indicated with parentheses ().
· Accident › Automated messages › The 24 ACARS messages
22:45
22:45
Hours
22:45
Code
FAILURE LAV CONF
Interpretation
Malfunction toilet
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING AUTO FLT AP OFF
Interpretation
Disconnecting the autopilot
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING AUTO FLT
Interpretation
Unknown
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING F/CTL ALTN LAW
Interpretation
The Fly-by-wire system switches from normal mode (Normal Law) to alternative mode (Alternate Law), deactivating many flight safety systems.
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING FLAG ON CAPT PFD
Interpretation
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the commander's side (CM1) - the incorrect speed alarm sounds.
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING FLAG ON F/O PFD
Interpretation
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the first officer's side (CM2) - incorrect airspeed alarm sounds.
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING AUTO FLT A/THR OFF
Interpretation
The autothrottle, the flight automation subsystem that operates the engine throttles (like the autopilot operates the flight controls), disconnects.
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING NAV TCAS FAULT
Interpretation
The collision avoidance system (TCAS) fails and is deactivated. TCAS relies on airspeed data to project the path of the plane in order to identify any potential traffic conflict.
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING FLAG ON CAPT PFD
Interpretation
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the commander's side (CM1) - the incorrect speed alarm sounds
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING FLAG ON F/O PFD
Interpretation
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the first officer's side (CM2) - incorrect airspeed alarm sounds.
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING F/CTL RUD TRV LIM FAULT
Interpretation
The message indicates that the Rudder travel limiter has been deactivated - restoring the maximum deflection on the rudder.
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING MAINTENANCE STATUS
Interpretation
Unknown
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
WARNING MAINTENANCE STATUS
Interpretation
Unknown
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
FAILURE EFCS2 1
Interpretation
Other problems with the Electronic Flight Control System
02:10
02:10
Hours
02:10
Code
FAILURE EFCS1 X2
Interpretation
Other problems with the Electronic Flight Control System
02:11
02:11
Hours
02:11
Code
WARNING FLAG ON CAPT PFD
Interpretation
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the commander's side (CM1) - the incorrect speed alarm sounds.
02:11
02:11
Hours
02:11
Code
WARNING FLAG ON F/O PFD
Interpretation
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the first officer's side (CM2) - incorrect airspeed alarm sounds.
02:12
02:12
Hours
02:12
Code
WARNING NAV ADR DISAGREE
Interpretation
Discrepancies are detected by the Air Data Reference (ADR) when acquiring vital data such as speed and flight attitude (AoA) - Possible false alarm.
02:12
02:12
Hours
02:12
Code
FAILURE ISIS 1
Interpretation
Problems on the electronic artificial horizon - Integrated Stand-by Instrument
02:12
02:12
Hours
02:12
Code
FAILURE IR2 1,EFCS1X,IR1,IR3
Interpretation
Other problems with the aircraft's inertial systems (IR1,IR2,IR3) and with the Fly-by-wire
02:13
02:13
Hours
02:13
Code
WARNING F/CTL PRIM 1 FAULT
Interpretation
The primary computer that manages the control surfaces goes into error and is deactivated (probably due to significant discrepancies and errors acquired from the flight data).
02:13
02:13
Hours
02:13
Code
WARNING F/CTL SEC 1 FAULT
Interpretation
Computer malfunction inherent to control surfaces (Spoiler and Elevator Computer) - (possibly due to significant discrepancies and errors acquired from flight data).
02:14
02:14
Hours
02:14
Code
WARNING MAINTENANCE STATUS
Interpretation
Unknown
02:14
02:14
Hours
02:14
Code
FAILURE AFS
Interpretation
The Automatic Flight System turns off.
02:14
02:14
Hours
02:14
Code
WARNING ADVISORY
Interpretation
This message may indicate a too rapid descent or depressurization of the aircraft, although it cannot be ruled out that it is distorted by instrumentation errors.
Hours
Code
Interpretation
22:45
FAILURE LAV CONF
Malfunction toilet
02:10
WARNING AUTO FLT AP OFF
Disconnecting the autopilot
02:10
WARNING AUTO FLT
Unknown
02:10
WARNING F/CTL ALTN LAW
The Fly-by-wire system switches from normal mode (Normal Law) to alternative mode (Alternate Law), deactivating many flight safety systems.
02:10
WARNING FLAG ON CAPT PFD
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the commander's side (CM1) - the incorrect speed alarm sounds.
02:10
WARNING FLAG ON F/O PFD
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the first officer's side (CM2) - incorrect airspeed alarm sounds.
02:10
WARNING AUTO FLT A/THR OFF
The autothrottle, the flight automation subsystem that operates the engine throttles (like the autopilot operates the flight controls), disconnects.
02:10
WARNING NAV TCAS FAULT
The collision avoidance system (TCAS) fails and is deactivated. TCAS relies on airspeed data to project the path of the plane in order to identify any potential traffic conflict.
02:10
WARNING FLAG ON CAPT PFD
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the commander's side (CM1) - the incorrect speed alarm sounds
02:10
WARNING FLAG ON F/O PFD
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the first officer's side (CM2) - incorrect airspeed alarm sounds.
02:10
WARNING F/CTL RUD TRV LIM FAULT
The message indicates that the Rudder travel limiter has been deactivated - restoring the maximum deflection on the rudder.
02:10
WARNING MAINTENANCE STATUS
Unknown
02:10
WARNING MAINTENANCE STATUS
Unknown
02:10
FAILURE EFCS2 1
Other problems with the Electronic Flight Control System
02:10
FAILURE EFCS1 X2
Other problems with the Electronic Flight Control System
02:11
WARNING FLAG ON CAPT PFD
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the commander's side (CM1) - the incorrect speed alarm sounds.
02:11
WARNING FLAG ON F/O PFD
On the Primary Flight Display (PFD) on the first officer's side (CM2) - incorrect airspeed alarm sounds.
02:12
WARNING NAV ADR DISAGREE
Discrepancies are detected by the Air Data Reference (ADR) when acquiring vital data such as speed and flight attitude (AoA) - Possible false alarm.
02:12
FAILURE ISIS 1
Problems on the electronic artificial horizon - Integrated Stand-by Instrument
02:12
FAILURE IR2 1,EFCS1X,IR1,IR3
Other problems with the aircraft's inertial systems (IR1,IR2,IR3) and with the Fly-by-wire
02:13
WARNING F/CTL PRIM 1 FAULT
The primary computer that manages the control surfaces goes into error and is deactivated (probably due to significant discrepancies and errors acquired from the flight data).
02:13
WARNING F/CTL SEC 1 FAULT
Computer malfunction inherent to control surfaces (Spoiler and Elevator Computer) - (possibly due to significant discrepancies and errors acquired from flight data).
02:14
WARNING MAINTENANCE STATUS
Unknown
02:14
FAILURE AFS
The Automatic Flight System turns off.
02:14
WARNING ADVISORY
This message may indicate a too rapid descent or depressurization of the aircraft, although it cannot be ruled out that it is distorted by instrumentation errors.
· Investigation and safety improvements › Findings from the flight data recorder
Time
Time
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Time
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Speaker
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
French
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
English translation
02:02:00
02:02:00
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:02:00
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
The captain leaves the flight deck to take a nap, leaving the considerably lesser experienced of the two co-pilots in command.
02:03:44
02:03:44
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:03:44
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin (Right seat)
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
La convergence inter tropicale… voilà, là on est dedans, entre SALPU et TASIL. Et puis, voilà, on est en plein dedans…
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
The inter-tropical convergence... look, we're in it, between [waypoints] SALPU and TASIL. And then, look, we're right in it...
02:05:55
02:05:55
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:05:55
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert (Left seat)
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Oui, on va les appeler derrière... pour leur dire quand même parce que...
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Yes, let's call them in the back, to let them know anyway, because...
02:05:59
02:05:59
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:05:59
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Purser
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Oui? Maryline.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Yes? Maryline here.
02:06:04
02:06:04
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:06:04
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Oui, Maryline, c'est Pierre devant... Dis-moi, dans deux minutes, on devrait attaquer une zone où ça devrait bouger un peu plus que maintenant. Il faudrait vous méfier là.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Yeah, Maryline - it's Pierre up front... Listen, in two minutes, we're going to be getting into an area where things are going to be moving around a little bit more than now. You'll want to take care.
02:06:13
02:06:13
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:06:13
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Purser
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
D'accord, on s'assoit alors?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Okay, we should sit down then?
02:06:15
02:06:15
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:06:15
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bon, je pense que ce serait pas mal… tu préviens les copains!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Well, I think that's not a bad idea. Give your friends a heads-up.
02:06:18
02:06:18
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:06:18
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Purser
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Ouais, OK, j'appelle les autres derrière. Merci beaucoup.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Yeah, okay, I'll tell the others in the back. Thanks a lot.
02:06:19
02:06:19
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:06:19
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Mais je te rappelle dès qu'on est sorti de là.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
I'll call you back as soon as we're out of it.
02:06:20
02:06:20
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:06:20
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Purser
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
OK
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
OK
02:06:50
02:06:50
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:06:50
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Va pour les anti-ice. C'est toujours ça de pris.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Let's go for the anti-icing system. It's better than nothing.
02:07:00
02:07:00
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:07:00
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
On est apparemment à la limite de la couche, ça devrait aller.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
We seem to be at the end of the cloud layer, it might be okay.
02:08:03
02:08:03
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:08:03
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Tu peux éventuellement le tirer un peu à gauche.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
You can possibly pull it a little to the left.
02:08:05
02:08:05
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:08:05
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Excuse-moi?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Sorry, what?
02:08:07
02:08:07
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:08:07
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Tu peux éventuellement prendre un peu à gauche. On est d'accord qu'on est en manuel, hein?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
You can possibly pull it a little to the left. We're agreed that we're in manual, yeah?
An audio alert sounds indicating that the autopilot has disconnected (because the pitot tubes have iced over).
An audio alert sounds indicating that the autopilot has disconnected (because the pitot tubes have iced over).
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
An audio alert sounds indicating that the autopilot has disconnected (because the pitot tubes have iced over).
02:10:06
02:10:06
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:06
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
J'ai les commandes.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
I have the controls.
02:10:07
02:10:07
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:07
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
D'accord.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Okay.
Bonin takes the aircraft into a steep climb; A chime alerts the crew that they are leaving their designated altitude. This is followed by a stall warning and a loud warning sound called a "cricket".
Bonin takes the aircraft into a steep climb; A chime alerts the crew that they are leaving their designated altitude. This is followed by a stall warning and a loud warning sound called a "cricket".
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin takes the aircraft into a steep climb; A chime alerts the crew that they are leaving their designated altitude. This is followed by a stall warning and a loud warning sound called a "cricket".
02:10:07
02:10:07
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:07
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
What's this?
02:10:15
02:10:15
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:15
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
On n'a pas une bonne… On n'a pas une bonne annonce de vitesse.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
There's no good... there's no good speed indication.
02:10:16
02:10:16
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:16
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
On a perdu les, les, les vitesses alors?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
We've lost the, the, the speeds, then?
The aircraft is climbing at 7,000 ft per minute, slowing all the time until its speed is only 93 knots (172 km/h)
The aircraft is climbing at 7,000 ft per minute, slowing all the time until its speed is only 93 knots (172 km/h)
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
The aircraft is climbing at 7,000 ft per minute, slowing all the time until its speed is only 93 knots (172 km/h)
02:10:27
02:10:27
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:27
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Faites attention à ta vitesse. Faites attention à ta vitesse.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Pay attention to your speed. Pay attention to your speed.
02:10:28
02:10:28
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:28
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
OK, OK, je redescends.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Okay, okay, I'm descending.
02:10:30
02:10:30
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:30
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Tu stabilises...
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Stabilize it...
02:10:31
02:10:31
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:31
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Ouais.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Yeah.
02:10:31
02:10:31
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:31
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Tu redescends... On est en train de monter selon lui… Selon lui, tu montes, donc tu redescends.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bring it down... It says we're going up... It says we're going up, so descend.
02:10:35
02:10:35
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:35
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
D'accord.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Okay.
As the de-icing system takes effect, one of the pitot tubes starts working again, and the cockpit displays again show correct speed information
As the de-icing system takes effect, one of the pitot tubes starts working again, and the cockpit displays again show correct speed information
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
As the de-icing system takes effect, one of the pitot tubes starts working again, and the cockpit displays again show correct speed information
02:10:36
02:10:36
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:36
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Redescends!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Get it down!
02:10:37
02:10:37
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:37
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
C'est parti, on redescend.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Here we go, we're descending.
02:10:38
02:10:38
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:38
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Doucement!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Gently!
Bonin decreases his backward pressure on the stick, and stall warnings stop as the airspeed increases
Bonin decreases his backward pressure on the stick, and stall warnings stop as the airspeed increases
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin decreases his backward pressure on the stick, and stall warnings stop as the airspeed increases
02:10:41
02:10:41
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:41
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
On est en… ouais, on est en "climb."
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
We're... yeah, we're climbing.
Bonin does not push the nose down. Robert presses a button to call the captain.
Bonin does not push the nose down. Robert presses a button to call the captain.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin does not push the nose down. Robert presses a button to call the captain.
02:10:49
02:10:49
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:49
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Putain, il est où... euh?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Son of a bitch, where is he?
02:10:55
02:10:55
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:10:55
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Putain!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Damn it!
The other pitot tube starts working again; all aircraft systems are once again functional, and the pilots simply have to push the nose down to recover the aircraft from its stall.
The other pitot tube starts working again; all aircraft systems are once again functional, and the pilots simply have to push the nose down to recover the aircraft from its stall.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
The other pitot tube starts working again; all aircraft systems are once again functional, and the pilots simply have to push the nose down to recover the aircraft from its stall.
02:11:03
02:11:03
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:11:03
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Je suis en TOGA, hein?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
I'm in TOGA [Takeoff/Go-around mode], huh?
Bonin is attempting to increase speed and climb as if taking off or aborting a landing, but he is at 37,500 ft where this maneuver is inappropriate.
Bonin is attempting to increase speed and climb as if taking off or aborting a landing, but he is at 37,500 ft where this maneuver is inappropriate.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin is attempting to increase speed and climb as if taking off or aborting a landing, but he is at 37,500 ft where this maneuver is inappropriate.
02:11:06
02:11:06
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:11:06
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Putain, il vient ou il vient pas?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Damn it, is he coming or isn't he?
The aircraft reaches its maximum altitude; with the nose up at 18 degrees, it begins to descend.
The aircraft reaches its maximum altitude; with the nose up at 18 degrees, it begins to descend.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
The aircraft reaches its maximum altitude; with the nose up at 18 degrees, it begins to descend.
02:11:21
02:11:21
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:11:21
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
On a pourtant les moteurs! Qu'est-ce qui se passe bordel? Je ne comprends pas ce que se passe.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
We still have the engines! What the hell is happening? I don't understand what's going on.
Crew resource management fails as Robert is unaware that Bonin is still pulling back hard on his stick as the two pilots' controls are not physically linked so that they move together. Buffeting as the aircraft is falling makes it difficult to keep the wings level.
Crew resource management fails as Robert is unaware that Bonin is still pulling back hard on his stick as the two pilots' controls are not physically linked so that they move together. Buffeting as the aircraft is falling makes it difficult to keep the wings level.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Crew resource management fails as Robert is unaware that Bonin is still pulling back hard on his stick as the two pilots' controls are not physically linked so that they move together. Buffeting as the aircraft is falling makes it difficult to keep the wings level.
02:11:32
02:11:32
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:11:32
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Putain, j'ai plus le contrôle de l'avion, là! J'ai plus le contrôle de l'avion!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Son of a bitch, I don't have control of the aircraft, I don't have control of the aircraft at all!
02:11:37
02:11:37
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:11:37
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Commandes à gauche!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Control to the left!
The more senior co-pilot briefly takes control, but is unaware that the aircraft has stalled. Bonin retakes control as the captain returns.
The more senior co-pilot briefly takes control, but is unaware that the aircraft has stalled. Bonin retakes control as the captain returns.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
The more senior co-pilot briefly takes control, but is unaware that the aircraft has stalled. Bonin retakes control as the captain returns.
02:11:43
02:11:43
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:11:43
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Captain
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Eh… Qu'est-ce que vous foutez?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Eh... What are you up to?
02:11:45
02:11:45
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:11:45
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
On perd le contrôle de l'avion, là!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
We've lost control of the aircraft!
02:11:47
02:11:47
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:11:47
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
On a totalement perdu le contrôle de l'avion... On comprend rien... On a tout tenté...
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
We've totally lost control of the aircraft. We don't understand at all... We've tried everything
The aircraft is back at the correct altitude, but falling at 10,000 ft per minute with an angle of attack of 41 degrees. The pitot tubes are functional, but as the speed has fallen below 60 knots (110 km/h) and the angle of attack is too great, the data is considered invalid and the stall warnings stop.
The aircraft is back at the correct altitude, but falling at 10,000 ft per minute with an angle of attack of 41 degrees. The pitot tubes are functional, but as the speed has fallen below 60 knots (110 km/h) and the angle of attack is too great, the data is considered invalid and the stall warnings stop.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
The aircraft is back at the correct altitude, but falling at 10,000 ft per minute with an angle of attack of 41 degrees. The pitot tubes are functional, but as the speed has fallen below 60 knots (110 km/h) and the angle of attack is too great, the data is considered invalid and the stall warnings stop.
02:12:14
02:12:14
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:12:14
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Qu'est-ce que tu en penses? Qu'est-ce que tu en penses? Qu'est-ce qu'il faut faire?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
What do you think? What do you think? What should we do?
02:12:15
02:12:15
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:12:15
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Captain
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Alors, là, je ne sais pas!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Well, I don't know!
The captain urges Bonin to level the wings, which does not address the primary issue of the stall. The men discuss whether they are climbing or descending, before agreeing that they are indeed descending. As the aircraft approaches 10,000 feet, Robert tries to take back the controls, and pushes forward on the stick, however in "dual input" mode, th
The captain urges Bonin to level the wings, which does not address the primary issue of the stall. The men discuss whether they are climbing or descending, before agreeing that they are indeed descending. As the aircraft approaches 10,000 feet, Robert tries to take back the controls, and pushes forward on the stick, however in "dual input" mode, th
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
The captain urges Bonin to level the wings, which does not address the primary issue of the stall. The men discuss whether they are climbing or descending, before agreeing that they are indeed descending. As the aircraft approaches 10,000 feet, Robert tries to take back the controls, and pushes forward on the stick, however in "dual input" mode, th
02:13:40
02:13:40
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:13:40
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Remonte... remonte... remonte... remonte...
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Climb... climb... climb... climb...
Bonin communicates for the first time that he has been pulling the stick back all the time.
Bonin communicates for the first time that he has been pulling the stick back all the time.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin communicates for the first time that he has been pulling the stick back all the time.
02:13:40
02:13:40
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:13:40
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Mais je suis à fond à cabrer depuis tout à l'heure!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
But I've had the stick back the whole time!
02:13:42
02:13:42
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:13:42
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Captain
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Non, non, non... Ne remonte pas... non, non.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
No, no, no... Don't climb... no, no.
02:13:43
02:13:43
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:13:43
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Alors descends... Alors, donne-moi les commandes... À moi les commandes!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Then go down... Look, give me the controls... Give the controls to me!
Bonin relinquishes control to Robert who for the first time is able to push the nose down to gather speed. A ground proximity warning sounds at 2,000 ft, and Bonin once again starts to pull back on the stick.
Bonin relinquishes control to Robert who for the first time is able to push the nose down to gather speed. A ground proximity warning sounds at 2,000 ft, and Bonin once again starts to pull back on the stick.
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin relinquishes control to Robert who for the first time is able to push the nose down to gather speed. A ground proximity warning sounds at 2,000 ft, and Bonin once again starts to pull back on the stick.
02:14:23
02:14:23
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:14:23
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Robert
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Putain, on va taper... C'est pas vrai!
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Son of a bitch, we're going to crash... This can't be real!
02:14:25
02:14:25
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:14:25
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Bonin
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Mais qu'est-ce que se passe?
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
But what's going on?
02:14:27
02:14:27
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
02:14:27
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Captain
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
10 degrès d'assiette...
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Ten degrees of pitch...
End of recording
End of recording
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
End of recording
Leaked transcript of cockpit voice recorder
Time
Speaker
French
English translation
02:02:00
The captain leaves the flight deck to take a nap, leaving the considerably lesser experienced of the two co-pilots in command.
02:03:44
Bonin (Right seat)
La convergence inter tropicale… voilà, là on est dedans, entre SALPU et TASIL. Et puis, voilà, on est en plein dedans…
The inter-tropical convergence... look, we're in it, between [waypoints] SALPU and TASIL. And then, look, we're right in it...
02:05:55
Robert (Left seat)
Oui, on va les appeler derrière... pour leur dire quand même parce que...
Yes, let's call them in the back, to let them know anyway, because...
02:05:59
Purser
Oui? Maryline.
Yes? Maryline here.
02:06:04
Bonin
Oui, Maryline, c'est Pierre devant... Dis-moi, dans deux minutes, on devrait attaquer une zone où ça devrait bouger un peu plus que maintenant. Il faudrait vous méfier là.
Yeah, Maryline - it's Pierre up front... Listen, in two minutes, we're going to be getting into an area where things are going to be moving around a little bit more than now. You'll want to take care.
02:06:13
Purser
D'accord, on s'assoit alors?
Okay, we should sit down then?
02:06:15
Bonin
Bon, je pense que ce serait pas mal… tu préviens les copains!
Well, I think that's not a bad idea. Give your friends a heads-up.
02:06:18
Purser
Ouais, OK, j'appelle les autres derrière. Merci beaucoup.
Yeah, okay, I'll tell the others in the back. Thanks a lot.
02:06:19
Bonin
Mais je te rappelle dès qu'on est sorti de là.
I'll call you back as soon as we're out of it.
02:06:20
Purser
OK
OK
02:06:50
Bonin
Va pour les anti-ice. C'est toujours ça de pris.
Let's go for the anti-icing system. It's better than nothing.
02:07:00
Bonin
On est apparemment à la limite de la couche, ça devrait aller.
We seem to be at the end of the cloud layer, it might be okay.
02:08:03
Robert
Tu peux éventuellement le tirer un peu à gauche.
You can possibly pull it a little to the left.
02:08:05
Bonin
Excuse-moi?
Sorry, what?
02:08:07
Robert
Tu peux éventuellement prendre un peu à gauche. On est d'accord qu'on est en manuel, hein?
You can possibly pull it a little to the left. We're agreed that we're in manual, yeah?
An audio alert sounds indicating that the autopilot has disconnected (because the pitot tubes have iced over).
02:10:06
Bonin
J'ai les commandes.
I have the controls.
02:10:07
Robert
D'accord.
Okay.
Bonin takes the aircraft into a steep climb; A chime alerts the crew that they are leaving their designated altitude. This is followed by a stall warning and a loud warning sound called a "cricket".
02:10:07
Robert
Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?
What's this?
02:10:15
Bonin
On n'a pas une bonne… On n'a pas une bonne annonce de vitesse.
There's no good... there's no good speed indication.
02:10:16
Robert
On a perdu les, les, les vitesses alors?
We've lost the, the, the speeds, then?
The aircraft is climbing at 7,000 ft per minute, slowing all the time until its speed is only 93 knots (172 km/h)
02:10:27
Robert
Faites attention à ta vitesse. Faites attention à ta vitesse.
Pay attention to your speed. Pay attention to your speed.
02:10:28
Bonin
OK, OK, je redescends.
Okay, okay, I'm descending.
02:10:30
Robert
Tu stabilises...
Stabilize it...
02:10:31
Bonin
Ouais.
Yeah.
02:10:31
Robert
Tu redescends... On est en train de monter selon lui… Selon lui, tu montes, donc tu redescends.
Bring it down... It says we're going up... It says we're going up, so descend.
02:10:35
Bonin
D'accord.
Okay.
As the de-icing system takes effect, one of the pitot tubes starts working again, and the cockpit displays again show correct speed information
02:10:36
Robert
Redescends!
Get it down!
02:10:37
Bonin
C'est parti, on redescend.
Here we go, we're descending.
02:10:38
Robert
Doucement!
Gently!
Bonin decreases his backward pressure on the stick, and stall warnings stop as the airspeed increases
02:10:41
Bonin
On est en… ouais, on est en "climb."
We're... yeah, we're climbing.
Bonin does not push the nose down. Robert presses a button to call the captain.
02:10:49
Robert
Putain, il est où... euh?
Son of a bitch, where is he?
02:10:55
Robert
Putain!
Damn it!
The other pitot tube starts working again; all aircraft systems are once again functional, and the pilots simply have to push the nose down to recover the aircraft from its stall.
02:11:03
Bonin
Je suis en TOGA, hein?
I'm in TOGA [Takeoff/Go-around mode], huh?
Bonin is attempting to increase speed and climb as if taking off or aborting a landing, but he is at 37,500 ft where this maneuver is inappropriate.
02:11:06
Robert
Putain, il vient ou il vient pas?
Damn it, is he coming or isn't he?
The aircraft reaches its maximum altitude; with the nose up at 18 degrees, it begins to descend.
02:11:21
Robert
On a pourtant les moteurs! Qu'est-ce qui se passe bordel? Je ne comprends pas ce que se passe.
We still have the engines! What the hell is happening? I don't understand what's going on.
Crew resource management fails as Robert is unaware that Bonin is still pulling back hard on his stick as the two pilots' controls are not physically linked so that they move together. Buffeting as the aircraft is falling makes it difficult to keep the wings level.
02:11:32
Bonin
Putain, j'ai plus le contrôle de l'avion, là! J'ai plus le contrôle de l'avion!
Son of a bitch, I don't have control of the aircraft, I don't have control of the aircraft at all!
02:11:37
Robert
Commandes à gauche!
Control to the left!
The more senior co-pilot briefly takes control, but is unaware that the aircraft has stalled. Bonin retakes control as the captain returns.

References

  1. The 2 in the suffix denotes that it was a -200 series variant of the A330; 03 denotes that it was equipped with General
  2. The BEA was unable to positively identify this word, hence it was enclosed in parentheses on the CVR transcript
  3. At the time of its disappearance, F-GZCP was using satellite communication, its position over the mid-Atlantic being too
  4. On the map, the coordinates in BEA's first interim report with the information on page 13 is referenced as the "last kno
  5. More precisely: that after one of the three independent systems had been diagnosed as faulty and excluded from considera
  6. 850 from its Navy and 250 Air Force.
  7. The areas showing detailed bathymetry were mapped using multibeam bathymetric sonar. The areas showing very generalized
  8. The Remora 6000 remotely operated vehicle was designed and constructed by Phoenix International Holdings, Inc. of Largo,
  9. The airliner was considered to be in a nearly level attitude, but with a high rate of descent when it collided with the
  10. Some reports have described this as a deep stall, but this was a steady state conventional stall. A deep stall is associ
  11. There was a similar side-stick control issue in the Air Asia Flight 8501 accident.
  12. "I didn't sleep enough last night. One hour – it's not enough right now." "Cette nuit, j'ai pas assez dormi. Une heure,
  13. For an explanation of how airspeed is measured, see air data reference.
  14. BEA first 2009.
  15. BEA final 2012
  16. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57084090
  17. BEA third 2011.
  18. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/30/world/europe/air-france-flight-447-crash-report-july-2011.html
  19. Aviation Safety Network
    http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090601-0
  20. Aviation civile
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110720231823/http://www.immat.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/immat/servlet/aeronef_detail.html?CTRL_ID=1366_d2a94c43&CTX=152Aa_nCnL3ZTMqDy0I4RTwpj00LpSW0HQc5sOIvrT6biBaXXSsXDON051zh1mnPWqGC00aO02cnlOMH6OMDqRt9900bqQ79bSsXlR6HuS3z00000000CTmW0000G00000NG01aHFKrz9H7Do015gONPXBcnXRcSkIMvqPMTbSXBYeAJtWOSu0W01IG05Tc5iTMLuSW0GQc5sOIviOMvdBavrRM9bSeQibHqBbE2B0W00U70007rEU000
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