Air France To Sue Canadian Authorities Over 2005 Crash

The Toronto Star media group have reported that Air France are to sue Toronto Airport and Canadian Transportation Authorities over a highly spectacular crash in 2005 that fortunately resulted in no fatalities.

The Toronto Star have claimed that Air France and its insurers are to claim 180 million dollars by suing Greater Toronto Airport Authority for not taking action to prevent the crash and for not providing the airliner with a safe environment to operate in. Air France have been contacted and a spokeswoman said that she was unaware of the legal action.

The accident occured in 2005 when the Air France A340 aircraft slid off a runway at Toronto Airport with 309 passengers and crew onboard before bursting into flames. No passengers were killed in the incident however several sued as they suffered injuries whilst attempting to exit the aircraft. The Airbus A340 had left the runway travelling at a speed of 80 knots and came to a halt stuck in a ravine that was nearly 1,000 feet from the end of the runway, it suffered extensive damage which was compounded by the fire that occured shortly after it came to a halt.

Canada's Transport Safety Board have concluded that a thunderstorm, tailwind and the crew delaying reverse thrusting the engines of the aircraft all added to the accident that occured. When the incident was investigated it was suggested that a 300 metre zone be added to the end of the runway to give aircraft a larger 'comfort zone' if anything were to go wrong during take-off or landing.

Published by: Jon Vickery