Angle of Attack: Air France 447 and the Future of Aviation Safety Overview:

Angle of Attack: Air France 447 and the Future of Aviation Safety – 10th Anniversary Edition

Completely revised and updated, the 10th Anniversary Edition of Angle of Attack includes two brand-new chapters and expanded analysis of aviation safety, including lessons from the Boeing 737 MAX disasters.

On June 1, 2009, Air France Flight 447 disappeared over the South Atlantic, claiming the lives of all 228 passengers and crew. How could a state-of-the-art Airbus, equipped with sophisticated flight control systems designed to prevent stalls, fall from the sky?

Based on exclusive interviews with Airbus, Air France, flight crews, pilots' families, accident investigators, and the Woods Hole-led team that recovered the aircraft from the ocean floor, Angle of Attack examines one of the most consequential accidents in modern aviation history.

Authors Roger Rapoport and Captain Shem Malmquist explore the critical disconnect between increasingly automated aircraft, outdated safety management practices, and the hands-on training pilots need to respond effectively when technology fails. Their investigation reveals lessons that extend far beyond Flight 447, raising important questions about pilot proficiency, automation dependency, and the future of airline safety.

What's New in the 10th Anniversary Edition:

• Two brand-new chapters exploring developments in aviation safety.
• Thoroughly revised and updated content throughout.
• Expanded discussion of aircraft automation and pilot training.
• New insights into the Boeing 737 MAX disasters and their implications for the aviation industry.

About the Authors:
Roger Rapoport is the author of Citizen Moore and a contributing editor at Flight Safety Information. Captain Shem Malmquist is a veteran aviation accident investigator, experienced Boeing 777 pilot, former line check airman, and visiting professor at the Florida Institute of Technology.

By Roger Rapoport and Shem Malmquist

Published January 2025