The investigation should "define penal responsibilities" because Air France ignored "indications of diverse failures" in the aircraft's controls, an association of relatives of the victims said.

Nelson Faria Marinho, the head of the association, complained that the probe was being conducted by France's bureau of accident investigations with no input from the Brazilians.

"We are asking the Brazilian authorities to follow this investigation and open a criminal process because a crime has been committed," he told a Brazilian state news agency.

The Air France Airbus A330 with 216 passengers and 12 crew members aboard plunged into the Atlantic ocean on the night of May 31 to June 1 while on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. There were 58 Brazilians and 72 French nationals aboard.

After a 26-day search, teams recovered 56 bodies from the Atlantic around 1450 kilometers off Recife in northeastern Brazil.

The aircraft's "black box" voice and data recorders were never recovered.

AFP

The best ski deals Want to hit the slopes? We've got some of the best ski and snow deals around...

Book your flights online Why use a travel agent when you can get the best fares online and do it yourself?

Travel guides! Are you ready for landing? Get set for the city with our free travel guides...