A Sudan Airways jet has exploded whilst attempting to land at Khartoum Airport and veered off the runway.
It’s feared more than 100 people are dead. Aviation officials have said 203 passengers and 11 crew were onboard the aircraft and 103 and 10 crew members have survived.
The Airbus A310 had taken off from Damascus and was trying to land in a thunderstorm. It appeared to have landed safely before then swerving off the runway and exploding into a massive fireball.
"There are missing passengers who could be still inside the plane, or left the aircraft but did not inform officials they were passengers," a police spokesman said.
One survivor stated: “The landing was "rough", the right wing was on fire. Smoke poured into the cockpit and passengers began opening emergency exit doors as the flames quickly swept into the plane.”
The cause of the accident is still unclear. John Ukec Lueth Ukec the Sudanese ambassador to Washington has put the cause of the accident down to bad weather.
"There was a lot of water on the runway and they still tried to land," he claimed. "It will be investigated and we will find out what went wrong, whether it is a technical issue or human error."
Sudan’s police chief later added:
"Bad weather caused the plane to crash-land, split into two and catch fire. We believe that most of the passengers were able to make it out and escape with their lives."
However, the director of Khartoum Airport has said a technical fault with the aircraft caused the accident. He said that the aircraft landed safely and was being instructed from the control tower about taxiing. "At that moment, one of the engines exploded and the plane caught fire. It is a technical reason," said Mr Ibrahim
This incident has added to Sudan’s poor aviation safety record. In May 24 people died in a crash in remote part of the country where members of the region’s government were killed.
A Sudan Airways Boeing 737 crashed after take off from Port Sudan killing everyone onboard in July 2003.
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Jumbo 747 splits in two during take off
A Jumbo 747 has crashed and split in two at the end of the runway in Brussels Airport.
The aircraft was a cargo plane due to fly to Bahrain and was attempting to take off when it crashed.
The five crew members onboard the plane have all been slightly injured and are in hospital. A spokesman at the airport said:
"The plane is very seriously damaged. The aircraft cracked in two after it crashed at the end of runway 220, which lies very close to a rail line and houses. Rail services to and from the airport were suspended as a safety precaution, however the crash did not affect other flights at the airport."
Firefighters at the scene sprayed the wings of the jet with special fire retardant foam as a precaution.
It's not known at present what cargo was onboard the aircraft or what was the cause of the accident.
The pilot has told authorities that a big noise sounded as he tried to take off.
The aircraft was a cargo plane due to fly to Bahrain and was attempting to take off when it crashed.
The five crew members onboard the plane have all been slightly injured and are in hospital. A spokesman at the airport said:
"The plane is very seriously damaged. The aircraft cracked in two after it crashed at the end of runway 220, which lies very close to a rail line and houses. Rail services to and from the airport were suspended as a safety precaution, however the crash did not affect other flights at the airport."
Firefighters at the scene sprayed the wings of the jet with special fire retardant foam as a precaution.
It's not known at present what cargo was onboard the aircraft or what was the cause of the accident.
The pilot has told authorities that a big noise sounded as he tried to take off.
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Fans stranded at Gatwick Airport
A special charter flight put on for football supporters going to Russia for the Champions League final has been cancelled leaving hundreds of fans stranded at Gatwick airport.
A spokesman has said that a technical problem caused the fight to be cancelled.
Fans have now started to leave the airport as it's now too late to get to the match in time which starts at 19.45 BST.
A spokesman has said that a technical problem caused the fight to be cancelled.
Fans have now started to leave the airport as it's now too late to get to the match in time which starts at 19.45 BST.
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
Attempt to ban early morning flights arriving at Heathrow
The governement are being taken to court in an attempt to ban flights landing at Heathrow before 6am.
Three years ago it was discovered that the Department of Transport were accused of failing to act when in fact planes had been placed in the incorrect noise category.
Around sixteen 747 long haul flights arrive at Heathrow between 4.30 and 6.00am.
Coucils taking the court action are accusing the airport of taking advantage of a legal loophole allowing Boeing 747 to land at night but bans other aircraft from doing so.
Lawyers are claiming that residents aren't protected from noise at night and closing this loophole would force airlines to use quieter jets or scrap early arrivals altogether.
Edward Lister Wandsworth Council leader said:
"We are aiming to achieve some much-needed relief for residents in the 4.30-6am period. Those aircraft types which break the rules should be grounded. There are currently no controls at this time of day. If we win, it could mean the Government having to set limits for the first time at a time of day when many people are still asleep."
The case continues.
Three years ago it was discovered that the Department of Transport were accused of failing to act when in fact planes had been placed in the incorrect noise category.
Around sixteen 747 long haul flights arrive at Heathrow between 4.30 and 6.00am.
Coucils taking the court action are accusing the airport of taking advantage of a legal loophole allowing Boeing 747 to land at night but bans other aircraft from doing so.
Lawyers are claiming that residents aren't protected from noise at night and closing this loophole would force airlines to use quieter jets or scrap early arrivals altogether.
Edward Lister Wandsworth Council leader said:
"We are aiming to achieve some much-needed relief for residents in the 4.30-6am period. Those aircraft types which break the rules should be grounded. There are currently no controls at this time of day. If we win, it could mean the Government having to set limits for the first time at a time of day when many people are still asleep."
The case continues.
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
A380 soon to fly into London Heathrow
Heathrow airport have commenced developments to accommodate the A380. Terminal 3 will see a pier be demolished to allow space for the plane's wingspan.
The new development will be 280m long and 3 storeys high. Passengers will be able to disembark from both levels of the aircraft.
Managing Director of BAA said that preparations are going well: "The A380 will be an important aircraft for Heathrow... but we are also ensuring that our new facilities can accommodate all types of aircraft and meet the needs of all our airlines," he said.
A new pier will see 4 new aircraft stands designed to serve new models of aircraft such as the Airbus A320.
Airlines planning to operate the A380 to Heathrow include Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas.
The new development will be 280m long and 3 storeys high. Passengers will be able to disembark from both levels of the aircraft.
Managing Director of BAA said that preparations are going well: "The A380 will be an important aircraft for Heathrow... but we are also ensuring that our new facilities can accommodate all types of aircraft and meet the needs of all our airlines," he said.
A new pier will see 4 new aircraft stands designed to serve new models of aircraft such as the Airbus A320.
Airlines planning to operate the A380 to Heathrow include Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas.
Friday, 14 March 2008
Man arrested trying to run onto runway at Heathrow Airport
A man armed with a rucksack managed to get past security and onto the runway into the path of an oncoming aircraft at London Heathrow. An enquiry is now being conducted.
The man's actions disrupted flights for the day yesterday, he was arrested just before reaching the tarmac but the north runway was shut whilst armed officers held their guns towards him.
This incident came just 1 day before the Queen was expected to open the new terminal five. It's believed the rucksack contained clothes.
Police have said they don't know the man's motive but are confident it's not terror related. Workers at Heathrow believe it's a sign of protest over the new terminal and he wanted to cause havoc.
Gordon Brown has said that he's satisfied everything possible is being done to ensure security at the opening.
He later said: “I think the important thing about the Heathrow incident is that the person was detained, that all the security precautions went quickly into action, that he’s now being interviewed and that all possible steps were taken so that when this incident happened the arrest took place.”
A BAA spokesman said: “Clearly this incident is a matter of some concern and will be fully investigated in conjunction with the police.”
Twenty flights were cancelled by various airlines and outgoing flights diverted to the south runway.
This incident is the second in a number of weeks where security has been breached.
The man's actions disrupted flights for the day yesterday, he was arrested just before reaching the tarmac but the north runway was shut whilst armed officers held their guns towards him.
This incident came just 1 day before the Queen was expected to open the new terminal five. It's believed the rucksack contained clothes.
Police have said they don't know the man's motive but are confident it's not terror related. Workers at Heathrow believe it's a sign of protest over the new terminal and he wanted to cause havoc.
Gordon Brown has said that he's satisfied everything possible is being done to ensure security at the opening.
He later said: “I think the important thing about the Heathrow incident is that the person was detained, that all the security precautions went quickly into action, that he’s now being interviewed and that all possible steps were taken so that when this incident happened the arrest took place.”
A BAA spokesman said: “Clearly this incident is a matter of some concern and will be fully investigated in conjunction with the police.”
Twenty flights were cancelled by various airlines and outgoing flights diverted to the south runway.
This incident is the second in a number of weeks where security has been breached.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
