Air France jet with 215 on board drops off radarJune 1, 2009 - 10:10PM Air France says the Airbus jet that disappeared en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris sent an automatic signal indicating electrical problems while going through an area of strong turbulence.
Air France says in a statement the plane that carried 228 on board "crossed through a thunderous zone with strong turbulence'' at 0200 GMT (1200 AEST).
It says "an automatic message was received at 0214 GMT (1214 AEST) signalling electrical circuit malfunction''.
It says the 216 passengers included one infant, seven children, 82 women and 126 men.
It says the plane entered service in 2005 and last underwent maintenance on April 16.
