The Airbus A 330-200, registered F-GZCP, operated by Air France as flight AF 447 disappeared during the night of 31 May and June 1st. The airplane was carrying 216 passengers and 12 crew members and was flying the route between Rio-de-Janeiro (Brazil) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (France).
Since the airplane disappeared over international waters, the BEA, representing the State of Registry, instituted an investigation, in accordance with the provisions of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and the French Civil Aviation Code (Book VII).
A team of investigators has been designated and has started work.
The Investigator-in-Charge, Mr Alain BOUILLARD, has set up four working groups in the following areas:
Sea search operations,
Airplane background history,
Airplane operations,
Systems and equipment.
Two investigators from the BEA, accompanied by experts from Airbus and Air France, are currently in Rio de Janeiro.
The BEA plans to publish a first report towards the end of June.
