Interesting. So where's the evidence supporting the French being first? In what, where and when?
Your list of accidents looks like 71-77, ish!
Air France had endured an even more torrid time in the 1960s.12 September 1961
Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III (F-BJTB, Air France Flight 2005) crashed when the Captain misread his instruments near Rabat's airport killing all 77 on board.
3 June 1962
A chartered Boeing 707-328 (registration F-BHSM, Air France Flight 007) crashed at Orly during takeoff, the wingtip hitting the ground as a result of a faulty servo. 130 killed, two flight attendants sitting in the rear section of the aircraft survived.
22 June 1962
Boeing 707-328 (F-BHST, Air France Flight 117), crashed into high ground while attempting to land at Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, killing all 113 on board.
5 March 1968
Boeing 707-328C (F-BLCJ, Air France Flight 212) crashed into the southern slope of La Soufrière Mountain, on approach to Le Raizet Airport, killing all 63 on board.
11 September 1968
Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III (F-BOHB, Air France Flight 1611) crashed into the sea near Cap d'Antibes off Nice with the loss of all 95 on board as the crew attempted to make an emergency landing at Côte d'Azur Airport, following the detection of a fire in the aircraft's rear cabin.
3 December 1969
Boeing 707-328B (F-BHSZ, Air France Flight 212) crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from Simon Bolivar International Airport with the loss of all 62 on board.
Operating mainly short sectors at an intensive rate, one might expect a higher accident rate? I wonder what the rate was, per 100,000 FH, and perhaps more interestingly, per 100,000 sectors.....?