Air France crash questions: Still searching for answers

A week after the crash of Air France Flight 447 in the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil, questions remain about what caused the tragedy and how to eliminate similar risks.

More than two dozen of the 228 victims have been recovered, but time and the depth of the ocean in the area of the crash are making further recoveries less likely. The search continues for bodies as well as the flight recorders that might yield clues as to what downed the plane.

Until then, experts speculate that weather and mechanical problems contributed to the disaster. Recent reports suggest a possible malfunction of Pitot probes, which measure airspeed. Some observers have not ruled out sabotage, which is a troubling possibility.

Air travelers all expect to reach their destinations safely, and airlines have an admirable record in fulfilling that expectation. Despite tragedies such the recent one, air travel remains one of the safest forms of transportation.

We can only hope that the tragic crash of Air France 447 will lead to further contributions to aviation safety.

Would the risk of an airline accident keep you from flying?