I am relatively certain that there is no drive to "protect" Airbus within the French aviation safety community. I'm equally certain that there never was. Like all other manufacturers, I have no doubt that their legal department is poised to argue the toss if necessary, but thus far there's been no evidence to suggest that there is. The BEA gains nothing from it - so why does this suspicion remain?
It is nevertheless regrettable that the BEA is not an NGO
His ultimate boss .. is the state
If for some reason .. a survey of BEA threaten the state ... the survey could be classified as top secret .. or state secrets
A perfect example is a Caravelle accident very long ago ...
Another example is the disappearance of a fishing vessel where a submarine is suspected
I don't think the BEA had free hands in those inquiries ... and indeed .. he gains nothing ..