DW
Speaking for myself, I have grave reservations with the practice of treating every aviation accident as a criminal case regardless of circumstance, as seems to be the norm on the continent (and has happened here with similarly uncomfortable results).
In France (as in many other countries) you (pilot .. driver .. company .. employer .. etc ..) can be tried on charges of "responsibility to have killed or injured people without premeditation and intent to kill or injure"
It is a charge quite normal when victims are the result of an accident or an event involving injury death of people
The choice of the appropriate court of justice (correctionelle or assises) will be primarily on the fact of presence or abscence of premeditation and intent
The difference between "assises" (jury) or "correctionelle" (no jury) is the penalty
This judgment is required (always) to determine who will be compensated and by who !