Air France Airbus A330 - 300 encountered heavy rain . CEO : ` ` Several pieces of aircraft equipment were at fault or had broken down '' Some experts have suggested that a lightning strike was a possible cause . Flight 447 , traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris , was carrying 228 people .
Air France Airbus A330-200 encountered heavy turbulence . CEO : `` Several pieces of aircraft equipment were at fault or had broken down '' Some experts have said that a lightning strike was a possible cause . Flight 447 , traveling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris , was carrying 228 people .