Understanding High-altitude Aerodynamics Is Critical
Airbus A330 attitude director indicator (ADI)
Airbus A330 attitude director indicator (ADI)

Reports about the 2009 Air France Flight 447 accident released last summer by the French safety board (BEA) said the three experienced Airbus A330 pilots were unable to recognize they were operating at a too high angle of attack to sustain flight. The reports also said the pilots were unable to see a remedy early enough to recover. But why were these three international pilots confounded by the events of that night?