What happened
On June 1, 2009, at approximately 0214 UTC, an Airbus A3MU (registration F-GZCP) operated by Air France lost contact with Air Traffic Control while flying over the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Paris, France. During the flight, automatic maintenance messages were received, and portions of wreckage were subsequently recovered. Strong convective weather was reported in the vicinity of the aircraft's last known position. The accident resulted in 228 fatal injuries.
The investigation
The French Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) is leading the investigation. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is participating in the inquiry in its capacity as the State of Manufacture for the aircraft's General Electric engines.