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Family joins Air France jet probe Family joins Air France jet probe
(about 1 hour later)
Relatives of a victim of the Air France crash have joined a manslaughter investigation as a plaintiff, in an effort to access files on the case.Relatives of a victim of the Air France crash have joined a manslaughter investigation as a plaintiff, in an effort to access files on the case.
A lawyer for the family said that some of the relatives thought information was being withheld.A lawyer for the family said that some of the relatives thought information was being withheld.
The Paris prosecutor's office launched the investigation last week - a step automatically taken after the death of French citizens overseas.The Paris prosecutor's office launched the investigation last week - a step automatically taken after the death of French citizens overseas.
The Air France flight went down on 1 June with 228 on board.The Air France flight went down on 1 June with 228 on board.
Speculation about what caused the Airbus 330 to crash between Rio de Janeiro and Paris has so far focused on the possibility that the airspeed sensors, known as pitot probes, were not working. See a map of the plane's routeSpeculation about what caused the Airbus 330 to crash between Rio de Janeiro and Paris has so far focused on the possibility that the airspeed sensors, known as pitot probes, were not working. See a map of the plane's route
French investigators say no link has yet been established between the crash and the aircraft's speed monitors.French investigators say no link has yet been established between the crash and the aircraft's speed monitors.
Some of the victims' families have the feeling that the full truth has not been told Sophie Bottai LawyerSome of the victims' families have the feeling that the full truth has not been told Sophie Bottai Lawyer
But lawyer Sophie Bettai told French media that some families wanted to know why the airspeed sensors had not been replaced if the airline suspected a problem.But lawyer Sophie Bettai told French media that some families wanted to know why the airspeed sensors had not been replaced if the airline suspected a problem.
"Why weren't the planes kept on the ground? Could the catastrophe have been avoided?" were among questions they were asking, she said."Why weren't the planes kept on the ground? Could the catastrophe have been avoided?" were among questions they were asking, she said.
"By signing up as plaintiffs they will have access to the files, they will be closer to the investigation, and they hope to obtain legitimate responses," she said."By signing up as plaintiffs they will have access to the files, they will be closer to the investigation, and they hope to obtain legitimate responses," she said.
"Some of the victims' families have the feeling that the full truth has not been told," she said in a statement, AFP news agency reported."Some of the victims' families have the feeling that the full truth has not been told," she said in a statement, AFP news agency reported.
Nuclear subNuclear sub
Two other families have filed separate suits for manslaughter in Paris, without signing up to the ongoing enquiry. Two other families have filed separate suits for manslaughter in Paris, without signing up to the ongoing inquiry.
So far, 44 bodies have been recovered from the area where Air France flight 447 came down.So far, 44 bodies have been recovered from the area where Air France flight 447 came down.
SEARCH FOR FLIGHT AF 447 1 June: Contact lost with plane over mid-Atlantic2 June: First debris spotted from the air includes an airline seat. Brazilian defence minister says debris is from missing plane3 June: More debris spotted, including a 7m-wide chunk of metal. Fuel slick seen on surface4 June: Recovered buoys and pallet said to be from plane. Officials later retract statement6 June: First two bodies, plus suitcase and backpack found, along with seat from the plane7 June: Fourteen additional bodies recovered, taking total to 168 June: Large tail fin section found Timeline of Flight AF 447 Air disasters timeline Mystery of Air France flight Challenge of deep-sea debrisSEARCH FOR FLIGHT AF 447 1 June: Contact lost with plane over mid-Atlantic2 June: First debris spotted from the air includes an airline seat. Brazilian defence minister says debris is from missing plane3 June: More debris spotted, including a 7m-wide chunk of metal. Fuel slick seen on surface4 June: Recovered buoys and pallet said to be from plane. Officials later retract statement6 June: First two bodies, plus suitcase and backpack found, along with seat from the plane7 June: Fourteen additional bodies recovered, taking total to 168 June: Large tail fin section found Timeline of Flight AF 447 Air disasters timeline Mystery of Air France flight Challenge of deep-sea debris
On Thursday, the first 16 bodies recovered from the scene of the crash were flown to the Brazilian city of Recife for identification.On Thursday, the first 16 bodies recovered from the scene of the crash were flown to the Brazilian city of Recife for identification.
Debris from the plane has also been found some 1,000km (600 miles) north-east of the Fernando de Noronha islands, which are about 320km off the north-eastern coast of Brazil.Debris from the plane has also been found some 1,000km (600 miles) north-east of the Fernando de Noronha islands, which are about 320km off the north-eastern coast of Brazil.
The plane is known to have registered inconsistent speed readings just before it crashed in turbulent weather.The plane is known to have registered inconsistent speed readings just before it crashed in turbulent weather.
But France's Investigation and Analysis Bureau (BEA), which is in charge of the technical side of the inquiry, on Thursday played down speculation that a problem with the airspeed sensors caused the crash.But France's Investigation and Analysis Bureau (BEA), which is in charge of the technical side of the inquiry, on Thursday played down speculation that a problem with the airspeed sensors caused the crash.
Air France's Managing Director Pierre-Henri Gourgeon said he was "not convinced" that faulty speed monitors were to blame.Air France's Managing Director Pierre-Henri Gourgeon said he was "not convinced" that faulty speed monitors were to blame.
He was responding to criticism after it emerged that Air France had received replacement pitot probes for similar aircraft three days before the crash.He was responding to criticism after it emerged that Air France had received replacement pitot probes for similar aircraft three days before the crash.
He said Air France had ordered the replacements in late April after pilots noted a loss of airspeed data in flight on Airbus A330 and A340 models.He said Air France had ordered the replacements in late April after pilots noted a loss of airspeed data in flight on Airbus A330 and A340 models.
But the incidents were "not catastrophic" and planes with the old pitots were considered airworthy, he said.But the incidents were "not catastrophic" and planes with the old pitots were considered airworthy, he said.
However, Mr Gourgeon said, a programme to replace the external sensors would be stepped up all the same "because we know that during this accident there was a problem with measuring speed".However, Mr Gourgeon said, a programme to replace the external sensors would be stepped up all the same "because we know that during this accident there was a problem with measuring speed".
Meanwhile, a French nuclear submarine - the Emeraude - has joined Brazil's naval and air forces in the hunt for the flight's data recorders.Meanwhile, a French nuclear submarine - the Emeraude - has joined Brazil's naval and air forces in the hunt for the flight's data recorders.
The US is also helping, sending two sophisticated listening devices that will be towed in a grid pattern across the search area.The US is also helping, sending two sophisticated listening devices that will be towed in a grid pattern across the search area.
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