Vol Rio-Paris: la thèse d'une erreur humaine fait bondir les pilotes (Pilots Outrage At Human Error Theory)
It is too early to mention the theory of a pilot error in the RIO-Paris Airbus crash on 1st June 2009, the SNPL has strongly reacted, refusing that the pilots who died in that catastrophe could be thrown to the lions.The pilot’s ire has been triggered by two articles on the Fig’s internet site. In the unions crosshairs , there is the information that the first analysed sections of the recorders seem to exonerate Airbus.
To support for this information, the article relied on a telex Airbus sent their clients, reassuring them that at this stage of the first analyses of the DFDR, Airbus has no immediate recommendation to the airplane operators.
Hasty conclusion
Thus was relaunched the speculative track of « a crew error » as the Fig title implied., which was, to the outraged SNPL a rather hasty conclusion, (as) the link between the telex and the conclusion of a possible blame put on the crew is an astonishing shortcut, said Jean-Louis Barber, president of SNPL / Air France ALPA. “The accident results from a chain of events and one cannot isolate one without replacing it in the chain”.The BEA which is in the process of analysing both boxes and has confirmed that the recordings could be extracted has promised a report for this summer.
That timing seems, to the SNPL coherent with the task at hand. There was the same cautious reaction from Airbus, the spokesperson of which declared to have been shocked by the shortcut that points at the pilots as probable culprits.
“We have just informed the operators of our airplanes that they could go on flying the airplane –an Airbus A330- without any new recommendation, and in all safety; It’s the 7th telex Airbus has sent since the accident. They were all validated by the BEA.
Reminder : the pitot heads that were equipping flight 447 are suspected of having frozen, and being if not the main cause, at least one of the factors of the accident. Thus, Airbus which is legally responsible for that element, had soon after the crash advised on the replacement of that sensor model. So it’s quite awkward to let Airbus so quickly off the hook.
L'enquête sur le vol Rio-Paris suscite des tensions (The investigation on the flight from Rio to Paris raises tensions)
PARIS (Reuters) - Tensions have emerged between Air France and Airbus, speculation is starting to grow on the cause of the accident of flight AF447 from Rio to Paris in June 2009 with the reading of the black boxes of the device.The two companies indicted in March for involuntary homicide and injuries in the investigation into the disaster which has killed 228, have denied any disagreement. The decisive evidence from the two black boxes rescued in early May should not be known until the summer.
"Wait a few weeks that experts we deliver a consistent message before leaving on speculation one way or another," he said Thursday the CEO of Air France-KLM Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, during the presentation of annual accounts of the group, dismissing questions about his future at the head of the airline.
He stressed he was not yet possible to determine responsibility for the accident flight from Rio to Paris, and that crash was the result of the combination of various elements.
Speaking later to a colleague after the conference, he had these words, recorded by passing a microphone and relayed to reporters: "The way I responded a bit rude, but I am forced to because of Airbus. "
NO ADVICE FOR AIRBUS
Le Figaro wrote Tuesday that the first items put Airbus out of the question and directing investigators towards sole responsibility of the Air France crew or security procedures imposed by the company.
In a memo obtained by Reuters, said Airbus had provided no immediate safety recommendation to the airlines using the A330 as a result of the preliminary analysis of black boxes.
"It's not very 'fair play'," said a source familiar with the matter, adding that this procedure had broken an agreement.
A spokeswoman for Air France has denied any disagreement with Airbus.
"Our relationship with Air France is solid. They all use our products, including about 180 aircraft. With Air France, we shared the costs of research and our interest to support the investigation and understand what caused the tragic loss Flight 447 ", has even said a spokesman for Airbus.
The apparently contradictory information on the interpretation of the black boxes succeed in the media. Latest, Europe 1 radio reported Thursday that there was no error in steering the trajectory of the aircraft and that Air France would have 90% chance of being exonerated.
Asked by Reuters, the Office of Inquiry and Analysis (BEA), responsible for examining the black boxes, were willing to make "no comment" on that information.
Pierre-Henri Gourgeon reminded reporters Thursday that Air France and Airbus had taken "a number of initiatives" after the accident.
The hypothesis of a problem of measurement probes speed pitot type, manufactured by Thales and equipped the A330 and A340, has been suggested as a possible cause of the tragedy. The Pitot were replaced by other sensors throughout the Air France fleet after the accident.
Pitot probes of the wreck could be raised later. These small tubes placed in front of the camera frosted high altitude, which could disrupt the flight.
Reading the black boxes has raised all the technical data for the parameters of the flight and the last two hours of conversations and noises in the cockpit.
Moreover, according to police, the identification of two bodies found in the wreckage and brought to the surface is possible through the exploitation of their DNA.
The reappointment of Pierre-Henri Gourgeon for four years was endorsed Wednesday by the Board of Directors of Air France-KLM, but must be voted on by shareholders at the general meeting scheduled on July 7