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Nuclear sub to join hunt for jet Nuclear sub to join hunt for jet
(about 1 hour later)
A French nuclear submarine is being sent to help find an Air France jet which disappeared over the Atlantic.A French nuclear submarine is being sent to help find an Air France jet which disappeared over the Atlantic.
French defence minister Herve Morin said the hunter-killer submarine had surveillance equipment that could help find the plane's flight data recorders.French defence minister Herve Morin said the hunter-killer submarine had surveillance equipment that could help find the plane's flight data recorders.
As the search continued, it was revealed that debris salvaged from the sea was not from the jet.As the search continued, it was revealed that debris salvaged from the sea was not from the jet.
Airbus has reissued guidelines to pilots after experts said the plane may have had false speed measurements.Airbus has reissued guidelines to pilots after experts said the plane may have had false speed measurements.
A spokesman for Airbus said that a notice had been sent reminding Airbus air crews worldwide what to do when speed indicators give conflicting read-outs.A spokesman for Airbus said that a notice had been sent reminding Airbus air crews worldwide what to do when speed indicators give conflicting read-outs.
See a map of the plane's route See a map of the plane's route
Spokesman Justin Dubon said that the inconsistent readings meant that "the air speed of the aircraft was unclear".Spokesman Justin Dubon said that the inconsistent readings meant that "the air speed of the aircraft was unclear".
He said that in such circumstances, flight crews should maintain thrust and pitch and - if necessary - level off the plane and start troubleshooting procedures as detailed in operating manuals.He said that in such circumstances, flight crews should maintain thrust and pitch and - if necessary - level off the plane and start troubleshooting procedures as detailed in operating manuals.
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 ocean surface4 June: Buoys and pallet recovered from ocean said to be from plane. Officials later retract statement Timeline of Flight AF 447 Air disasters timeline class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/8078203.stm">Mystery of Air France flight class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8082025.stm">Challenge of deep-sea debris 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 ocean surface4 June: Buoys and pallet recovered from ocean said to be from plane. Officials later retract statement href="/1/hi/world/americas/8086111.stm">Combing the data for clues class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8077304.stm">Timeline of Flight AF 447 Air disasters timeline
The BBC's Tom Symonds says erratic speed readings could have been caused by heavy turbulence and might have caused the plane's automatic throttle to power up or down as it passed through heavy storms.The BBC's Tom Symonds says erratic speed readings could have been caused by heavy turbulence and might have caused the plane's automatic throttle to power up or down as it passed through heavy storms.
Meteorologists say that the Air France Flight 447 had entered an unusual storm with 100mph (160km/h) updrafts that sucked water up from the ocean.Meteorologists say that the Air France Flight 447 had entered an unusual storm with 100mph (160km/h) updrafts that sucked water up from the ocean.
As the moisture reached the plane's high altitude it quickly froze in -40C temperatures. The updrafts would also have created dangerous turbulence, they say.As the moisture reached the plane's high altitude it quickly froze in -40C temperatures. The updrafts would also have created dangerous turbulence, they say.
The Airbus A330 jet vanished over the Atlantic en-route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on Monday with 228 people on board.The Airbus A330 jet vanished over the Atlantic en-route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on Monday with 228 people on board.
A small group of relatives of those on board the plane has gone to the north-eastern Brazilian city of Recife where the rescue operation is based. They are to be given a chance to tour the facility and to ask questions.A small group of relatives of those on board the plane has gone to the north-eastern Brazilian city of Recife where the rescue operation is based. They are to be given a chance to tour the facility and to ask questions.
As the search continued on Friday, it was revealed that a wooden pallet and a fuel slick in the vicinity of the plane's last known position were not from the jet.As the search continued on Friday, it was revealed that a wooden pallet and a fuel slick in the vicinity of the plane's last known position were not from the jet.
Brazilian air force official Brig Ramon Borges Cardoso contradicted earlier reports, saying "no material from the plane has been recovered".Brazilian air force official Brig Ramon Borges Cardoso contradicted earlier reports, saying "no material from the plane has been recovered".
"It has been verified that the material did not belong to the plane, they were wood pallets that were used by ships and sometimes planes, but in this flight to Paris, there were no wood pallets," Brig Cardoso said.
The slick was most likely from a passing ship, he said.The slick was most likely from a passing ship, he said.
Navy ships are reported to be scouring the ocean, about 1,100km (690 miles) north-east of Brazil's coast, in an effort to locate other debris spotted from the air on Tuesday and Wednesday.Navy ships are reported to be scouring the ocean, about 1,100km (690 miles) north-east of Brazil's coast, in an effort to locate other debris spotted from the air on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Research shipResearch ship
A French marine research ship equipped with two non-nuclear mini-submarines is already on its way to the area.A French marine research ship equipped with two non-nuclear mini-submarines is already on its way to the area.
Rescuers hold out more hope that what was reported to be a seat and a large chunk of metal could have come from the plane, reports say.
Three more Brazilian boats and a French ship equipped with small submarines are expected to arrive in the area in the next few days.Three more Brazilian boats and a French ship equipped with small submarines are expected to arrive in the area in the next few days.
French military spokesman Christophe Prazuck said the priority was looking for wreckage from the plane, before turning the search to flight data recorders. French military spokesman Christophe Prazuck said the priority was looking for wreckage from the plane before it sinks or disappears.
"The clock is ticking on finding debris before they spread out and before they sink or disappear," he said. French officials have said the flight data recorders, which could be deep under water, may never be found.
French officials have said the recorders, which could be deep under water, may never be found. In another development on Friday, the Paris prosecutor's office opened a manslaughter inquiry into the air crash.
Officials have warned that they are far from working out the cause of the crash. It is a routine step taken by authorities in connection with the deaths of French citizens overseas.
"Following the disappearance of the Air France Airbus A330 between Rio de Janeiro and Paris, the Paris prosecutor's office has opened a judicial inquiry against unnamed persons on charges of manslaughter," a statement said.
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