French investigators are looking into the possibility that a pair of Apple mobile devices caused EgyptAir Flight 804 to crash in 2016.
According to a report by Le Parisien, French officials have ordered an investigation into whether the plane was brought down by a fire resulting from overheated mobile devices.
Officials say an Apple iPhone 6S and an iPad Mini 4 belonging to the flight’s first officer may have been plugged into an improper socket in the plane’s cockpit.
A trio of experts – an engineer from the French National Center for Scientific Research along with a physics professor and an engineer who specializes in battery technology, both from the country’s defense ministry – have been retained to complete the investigation into the matter, Le Parisien reported.
The results of their investigation are expected to be submitted by September 30.
In a statement to Business Insider, Apple said:
"We haven't been contacted by [Air Transport Gendarmerie] or any authority investigating this tragic event. We have not seen any report, but we understand there is no evidence to link this event to Apple products. If investigators have questions for us, we would, of course, assist in any way we can. We rigorously test our products to ensure they meet or exceed international safety standards."
The theory that the crash was caused by overheated mobile devices runs in opposition to that of Egypt, which has opened a criminal investigation into the crash. In December, Egyptian authorities said explosive residue had been found on some of the victims.
EgyptAir Flight 804 from Paris to Cairo disappeared on May 19, 2016, around 2:30 a.m. local time while flying over the Mediterranean Sea. Sixty-six passengers and crew - including 15 French citizens - died in the crash.
According to the Greek defense minister, Panos Kammenos, the Airbus A320 was cruising at 37,000 feet before swerving 90 degrees to the left and then 360 degrees to the right. The aircraft then lost altitude before dropping from radar coverage.
