Over one hundred die in Madrid plane crash

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Smoke from the fire caused by the crash
Image: 20 Minutos.
*(Image missing from Commons: image; log)*

A passenger plane leaving from Madrid - Barajas Airport has crashed during take-off. 153 fatalities and 19 injuries have been reported amongst those who were on the aircraft. Flight JK5022, operated by Spanair, was destined for Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, when it skidded off the end of the runway in good weather at 14:45 local time. An engine of the aircraft is reported to have caught fire during the attempted takeoff.

A spokesman for S.A.M.U.R. stated that there were only 26 survivors. The plane at the time was carrying 173 people. 7 survivors later died en route to hospital.

The cause is unknown, but reports indicate that the left engine of the MD-82 was on fire during take-off. The United States agency National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team to help with the investigation and reported that "the aircraft broke apart and a post-crash fire ensued."

"Helicopters are continually heading to the scene, dropping lots of water... The smoke has really died down now, things seem to be more under control," said Stephanie McGovern from the BBC, commenting on the incident. Manuel Moleno, who witnessed the crash, said that "I've seen around 50 ambulances. They're still coming and going, so there may still be more casualties."

"SAS is doing everything possible to help passengers and next-of-kin and to assist Spanish authorities at this difficult time," read a statement from SAS Group, the Stockholm-based company that owns Spanair. "SAS will provide further information as soon as it becomes available."

"Boeing sends its deep condolences to the families and friends of those lost in the crash of Spanair flight 5022, and its wishes for the quick recovery of the injured," said manufacturer Boeing which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. "We stand ready to provide technical assistance."

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Sources

Wikipedia

Wikipedia has more about this subject:

Spanair Flight 5022

"Un avión sufre un aparatoso accidente al despegar en la T-4 del aeropuerto de Barajas" — El Mundo (Spain), August 20, 2008 (Spanish)
"Many dead in Madrid plane crash" — BBC News Online, August 20, 2008
Al Goodman. "Deaths reported in Spanish plane crash" — CNN, August 20, 2008
Paul Tobin. "Spanair Jet Crashes in Madrid, Killing 153 People (Update2)" — Bloomberg L.P., August 20, 2008
Harold Heckle. "147 killed in plane crash at Madrid airport" — Associated Press, August 20, 2008
Press Release: "NTSB sends team to Madrid to support MD-82 aircraft accident investigation" — National Transportation Safety Board, August 20, 2008

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