Paul-Louis Arslanian — Former Head of the French Aviation Accident Investigation Bureau

Education and honours

Arslanian trained as an engineer at two of France's leading institutions. He is a graduate of École Polytechnique (promotion 1965) and of the École nationale de l'aviation civile (ENAC) (promotion 1970). Over his career he received national recognition, including appointment as an Officier of the Légion d'honneur for his contributions to civil aviation safety and public service.

Role and responsibilities at the BEA

As head of the BEA, Arslanian led a multidisciplinary organisation of engineers, investigators and support staff. Key aspects of the office under his leadership included:

• Directing technical accident investigations and authoring formal reports.
• Coordinating with foreign investigation bodies, manufacturers and airlines on cross-border cases.
• Issuing safety recommendations to regulators and industry to prevent recurrence.
• Communicating complex findings to the public, press and families of victims.

Notable work and legacy

During Arslanian's tenure, the BEA handled several high-profile investigations that reinforced the agency's role in global aviation safety. His period in office included the beginning and early phase of the investigation into the 2009 Air France Flight 447 accident, a complex inquiry that involved international search, recovery and technical analysis. Arslanian's leadership emphasized rigorous technical analysis and transparent reporting as tools to improve safety.

Distinctions and context

Beyond specific cases, Arslanian's career is representative of senior civil aviation leadership in France: a technical education, progression into regulatory and investigative roles, and a public-facing role during crises. The BEA itself remains the French authority for independent safety investigation in civil aviation; more information about its mandate can be found through the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses.