An Air France jet en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris carrying 228 people appears to have been lost over the Atlantic Ocean.  The plane which disappeared approximately 190 miles northeast of the Brazilian city of Natal may have been brought down by severe weather the plane was flying through at the time it lost contact with air traffic controller.

Air France Flight 447 is reported to have hit strong turbulence and possibly lightning as the result of a thunderstorm.  Air France says the plane, an Airbus A330, left Rio de Janeiro at 7:00pm local time and approximately four hours late the plan sent an automated signal indicating electrical problems.  The airline said the plane “crossed through a thunderous zone with strong turbulence.”  The automated message was received 14 minutes later at 0214GMT (10:14 pm  EDT Sunday) “signaling electrical circuit malfunction.”

Francois Brousse, head of communications at Air France, “The plane might have been struck by lightning. It’s a possibility.”

For the complete story and the latest images from the tragedy, please visit our Denver Weather Examiner pages.