Air France crash plane hit Atlantic belly-first
Air France crash plane hit Atlantic belly-first
The Air France plane that crashed off Brazil was still intact when it hit the Atlantic Ocean. The first official report into the Air France crash indicated that the aircraft hit the water belly-first.
Earlier reports suggested that Air France Flight 447 broke up at altitude, according to The Times. However, a study of 660 pieces of debris from the plane showed that it shattered only on impact with the water.
"The plane was not destroyed while it was in flight," said Alain Bouillard, in charge of the investigation. "It seems to have hit the surface of the water in level altitude and with a strong vertical acceleration."
None of the 228 people on board were wearing lifejackets, suggesting that they were not prepared for an emergency. It is unknown if the passengers and crew were conscious when the aircraft hit the water.
It is still too early to determine the exact cause of the crash, but the report confirmed that faulty speed sensors were involved. Electronic systems disconnected and the auto-pilot and automatic flight system shut down.
"This does not mean that the aircraft was not flyable," Bouillard pointed out. "It means that it reverted to classical piloting...[the problem with the speed sensors] is one of the factors, but not the only one."
The 'black box' data recorders from the flight have still not been found. Submarines and other vessels will continue to search for them until July 10.
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