Bodies of Air France Victims Returned to Land

PARIS, France (CNN) -- The first bodies to be recovered from the crash of Air France 447 returned to land Tuesday, as helicopters landed on the Brazilian archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, according to a CNN reporter on the scene.

Brazilian military personnel on Tuesday carry the remains of one of the passengers of the Air France crash.

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Two Brazilian helicopters, each able to carry up to eight bodies, took off earlier to rendezvous with the Brazilian navy ship carrying the 24 bodies that have been recovered so far.

Air France 447 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean last week en route from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to Paris, France, with 228 passengers and crew on board. It was the deadliest plane crash ever for Air France.

The cause of the crash is not yet known, but investigators are looking at the role of airspeed sensors known as pitot tubes, among other factors.

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Air France Plane Missing

Airbus released this information about the missing jet:

Airbus regrets to confirm that an Airbus A330-200 operated by Air France has been lost about 3.5 hours after departure. The aircraft was operating a scheduled service, Flight AF 447, from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) to Paris (France).

The missing aircraft involved in the accident, registered under the number F-GZCP, was MSN (Manufacturer Serial Number) 660, delivered to Air France from the production line in April 2005. The aircraft had accumulated approximately 18,800 flight hours in some 2,500 flights. It was powered by CF6-80E1 engines. At this time no further factual information is available.

In line with ICAO Annex 13 international convention, Airbus has offered full technical assistance to the investigation board. The investigation remains the entire responsibility of the relevant board and it would be inappropriate for Airbus to enter into any form of speculation into the causes of the accident.

The concerns and sympathy of the employees go to the families, friends and loved ones affected by the accident. [Source]

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