In accordance with international provisions the BEA, supported by its German counterpart the BFU, is participating in the investigation conducted by the Brazilian authorities following the accident that occurred to an A 320 registered PR-MBK, TAM Linhas Aereas flight 3054, at Sao Paulo's Congonhas Airport on 17 July.

The French and German investigators, accompanied by advisers from Airbus, travelled to the site of the accident. They participated in examinations of the wreckage on site and in the readout of the flight recorders (CVR and FDR).

The BEA notes that, as is often the case in the first few weeks following an aviation disaster, all sorts of information, correct or incorrect, is circulating, along with speculation and attempts at explanations.

The BEA regrets this situation. It is a serious error to try to draw conclusions on the basis of incomplete and unanalyzed information. Furthermore, premature statements on the causes of an accident may result in compromising objectivity in the conduct of the investigation. This confuses public opinion and deepens the suffering of the families of the victims.

he BEA will act in strict accordance with the international procedure, which gives it access to the information available and will allow it to make formal comments on the Draft Final Report before the latter is published, as specified in the provisions of Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention. As is always the case when the investigation is not its direct responsibility, the BEA will not communicate on the course of the investigation and any findings made, except where it appears that safety is at issue.