The recordings showed that the plane’s speed sensors, known as pitot tubes, had become blocked and iced up as the jet attempted to navigate through a storm on its way to Paris. This malfunction led to faulty data being produced by the plane’s systems, which ultimately disabled the autopilot and left the pilots grappling with confusing speed and altitude readings.

The final moments recorded in the cockpit were filled with fear and desperation, as the pilots expressed confusion and horror at the unfolding events. Ultimately, the 205-tonne plane plummeted over 11,500 meters from the sky in just over four minutes, resulting in the loss of all passengers and crew on board.

In 2023, a court in Paris ruled that Air France and Airbus were not guilty of manslaughter for the deaths of those on board. The case, however, leaves lingering questions about the complexities of aviation safety and the unpredictable nature of flying in challenging conditions.