Departing and landing information about Air France flight 447 hangs at Tom Jobim airport in Rio de Janeiro on June 1, 2009. The jet, carrying 228 people between Rio De Janiero and Paris, lost contact with air traffic controllers after running into severe lightning and thunderstorms over the Atlantic Ocean, officials said. Chief Air France spokesman Francois Brousse said "it is possible" the plane was hit by lightning.
This undated photo shows an Airbus A330-200 jetliner from the French company Air France. Air France Flight 447, an Airbus A330 carrying 228 people, lost contact with air traffic controllers over the Atlantic Ocean, an Air France official said on June 1, 2009. The plane disappeared about 186 miles northeast of the coastal Brazilian city of Natal, near the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, an air force spokesman said.
A reporter talks on her mobile phone while looking for information about the Air France flight that was reported missing on its way between Rio de Janeiro and Paris on Monday, June 1, 2009. The jet lost contact with air traffic controllers over the Atlantic Ocean after it ran into severe lightning and strong thunderstorms, officials said Monday. Brazil began a search mission off its northeastern coast.
An Air France counter is seen at Tom Jobim airport in Rio de Janeiro after Air France flight 447 was reported missing on its way between Rio de Janeiro and Paris, Monday, June 1, 2009. The jet carrying 228 people lost contact with air traffic controllers over the Atlantic Ocean, officials said Monday. Brazil began a search mission off its northeastern coast.
Women looking for information about the Air France flight 447 react at Tom Jobim Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, June 1, 2009. The jet carrying 228 people lost contact with air traffic controllers after running into lightning and strong thunderstorms over the Atlantic Ocean, officials said Monday. Brazil began a search mission off its northeastern coast.
A couple looking for information Air France flight 447 walk at the Tom Jobim airport in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, June 1, 2009. The jet carrying 228 people lost contact with air traffic controllers after running into lightning and strong thunderstorms over the Atlantic Ocean, officials said Monday. Brazil began a search mission off its northeastern coast.
A woman looking for information about the Air France flight 447 is surrounded by Brazilian journalists in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, June 01, 2009. The jet carrying 228 people from Rio de Janeiro to Paris lost contact with air traffic controllers after running into severe lightning and thunderstorms over the Atlantic Ocean, officials said Monday. Brazil began a search mission off its northeastern coast.
An unidentified man, center, looking for information about Air France flight 447 is escorted by airport employees to a private room at Tom Jobim airport in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, June 1, 2009. Officials said the jet carrying 216 passengers and 12 crew members lost contact with air traffic controllers over the Atlantic Ocean.
A woman, looking for information on Air France flight 447 reacts while being taken to a private room at Tom Jobim airport in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, June 01, 2009. The jet carrying 228 people lost contact with air traffic controllers after running into severe lightning and thunderstorms over the Atlantic Ocean, officials said Monday. Brazil began a search mission off its northeastern coast.
A woman looking for information on the Air France flight 447 is escorted by airport employees to a private room at Tom Jobim airport in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, June 1, 2009. The jet lost contact with air traffic controllers over the Atlantic Ocean after running into severe lightning and thunderstorms, officials said Monday. Chief Air France spokesman Francois Brousse said "it is possible" the plane was hit by lightning.
An unidentified man, right, looking for information about the Air France flight 447 talks with reporters at Tom Jobim airport in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, June 1, 2009. The jet carrying 228 people from Rio de Janeiro to Paris lost contact with air traffic controllers over the Atlantic Ocean, officials said Monday.
Relatives of passengers of the Air France flight 447 react at the Tom Jobim Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, June 1, 2009. The jet carrying 228 people from Rio de Janeiro to Paris ran into a towering wall of thunderstorms and disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean. French President Nicolas Sarkozy told families of those aboard Monday that "prospects of finding survivors are very small."