Air France Flight 358 facts for kids
On August 2, 2005, Air France Flight 358 was an Airbus A340 airplane. It was flying from Paris, France, to Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada. After landing, the plane skidded off the runway. This happened because the pilots were a bit slow in using the special brakes called thrust reversers to slow the plane down. Even though 12 people got hurt, everyone on board survived. All 309 people, including passengers and crew, made it out safely.
| Nationality | Passengers | Crew | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
 France |
101 | 11 | 113 |
 Canada |
104 | 0 | 104 |
 India |
8 | 0 | 8 |
 Italy |
19 | 0 | 19 |
 United Kingdom |
7 | 0 | 7 |
 United States |
14 | 0 | 14 |
 Switzerland |
25 | 0 | 25 |
 Germany |
2 | 0 | 2 |
 Netherlands |
3 | 0 | 3 |
 Australia |
2 | 0 | 2 |
 Israel |
4 | 0 | 4 |
 Mexico |
1 | 0 | 1 |
 Turkey |
1 | 0 | 1 |
 Japan |
6 | 0 | 6 |
| Total | 297 | 12 | 309 |
Contents
Air France Flight 358: What Happened?
The Flight and Landing
Air France Flight 358 was a regular flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in France. Its destination was Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada. On August 2, 2005, the Airbus A340 aircraft was carrying 297 passengers and 12 crew members.
The flight was mostly normal until it reached Toronto. As the plane came in to land, there was a big thunderstorm. The weather conditions were very bad, with heavy rain and strong winds. This made landing quite challenging for the pilots.
Skidding Off the Runway
The plane touched down on the runway, but it couldn't stop in time. It went past the end of the runway and slid into a small ravine. A ravine is like a small valley or ditch. The plane broke into pieces and caught fire after it stopped.
Even though the plane was badly damaged and caught fire, everyone on board survived. This was a truly amazing outcome. The quick actions of the crew and the passengers helped save lives.
Why the Plane Skidded
Investigators looked into why the accident happened. They found several reasons that contributed to the plane skidding off the runway. The main reason was the very bad weather. The heavy rain made the runway very wet and slippery.
Another factor was how the pilots used the plane's braking systems. They were a bit slow to use the "thrust reversers." These are parts of the engine that help slow the plane down quickly after landing. Because of the wet runway and the delayed braking, the plane couldn't stop before the end of the runway.
The Aircraft Involved
About the Airbus A340
The plane involved in the accident was an Airbus A340-300. This is a large, four-engine passenger jet. It is designed for long-distance flights. The specific aircraft had been used by Air France since 1999. It had flown many hours safely before this event.
The Airbus A340 is known for its safety record. This accident was one of the few serious incidents involving this type of aircraft. The plane was destroyed in the fire after it skidded off the runway.
After the Accident
Rescue and Survival
After the plane came to a stop, the crew quickly started to evacuate everyone. They opened the emergency exits. Passengers slid down emergency slides to get away from the burning plane. Firefighters and rescue teams arrived very quickly.
Out of 309 people, 12 people had minor injuries. These included sprains and bruises. No one died in the accident. This was seen as a miracle, especially given how badly the plane was damaged by the fire.
Lessons Learned
This accident taught important lessons about aviation safety. Airports learned more about how to manage landings in very bad weather. Pilots also learned more about using braking systems on wet runways. The event led to changes in safety rules and pilot training. These changes help make flying even safer for everyone.
Images for kids
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F-GLZQ, the aircraft involved, photographed in September 2004
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The accident occurred near the widest segment of Highway 401.
See also
In Spanish: Vuelo 358 de Air France para niños
