An Air France flight has crashed while landing during severe thunderstorms and the plane went up in flames. Chances of survival does not appear to be good, as the plane went into flames quickly.

Link

Son of a bitch. How horrific. Those poor people.

We are still not sure what happened. Seems plane went off runway on landing and then burst in flames. Possible hit by lightening. No confirmation on deaths or injuries. Press conference due shortly.

CNN had the Fire Chief on and while he is not on the scene, he said that there are survivors that have been taken to the hospital. 250+ on board.

And in the world of instant news, CNN already has a guy who was on the flight on air.

[ August 02, 2005, 02:45 PM: Message edited by: illini n milwaukee ]

Some minor injuries and people taken to hospital but no reports of any deaths so far. Amazing.

14 minor injuries....no deaths. That's really amazing.

Back in the old days (propeller planes), if you had a crash on landing, just about everybody died. Lately, crashes on landing have generally had survival rates of at least 50%.

Think of the United one in Sioux City IA, caught on film. The plane's hydraulic system had failed, leaving the rudder jammed in a position in which the plane was constantly trying to turn. Fortunately, the pilot had loads of experience, as he was just about to retire.

The plane landed a little off axis, caught an edge, so to speak, and rolled over, bursting into flame. There were quite a few survivors.

Back to this flight, one link, Passenger Jet Crashes Into Ravine, Bursts Into Flames, notes that the crash occurred on the 20th anniversary of a Delta L-1011 crash in Dallas.

That linked site says, "Initial reports indicated the plane was a Boeing 737 operated by Air France," but a discussion at Airliners.net says it's an Airbus A340.

Air France A340 Off Runway In YYZ

It's quite a good discussion. The starter of the thread was listening to the approach on LiveATC.net.

[ August 02, 2005, 07:05 PM: Message edited by: twin58 ]

From the reports I've seen on TV it seems that the plane may have hit a "microburst" upon landing, which caused a strong tailwind to push the plane down the runway when it was trying to slow down (a plane normally would land into the wind, thereby using the wind to help slow it down). Added to the fact that there was a heavy downpour, the wheels may have "hydroplaned" (much like a car on a wet road) and caused the plane to lose traction and slip.

The pilot may have braked strongly to try to slow the plane down and this may have caused the tires to burst or catch fire.

The plane skidded off the runway into a ravine and may have broken up somewhat causing or spreading the fire.

The passengers were able to escape out the emergency exits and the inflatable shutes. They ran for their lives in the rain.

The plane burned for a long time and looks to be largely destroyed.

The passengers interviewed seem remarkably calm. There were no fatalities and only minor injuries.

My brother was supposed to be flying back to Toronto this evening from Milwaukee, but his flight was cancelled. The accident has caused delays and cancellations throughout Canada, as so many Air Canada planes, in particular, fly through Toronto. Some foreign carriers already in the air (such as British Airways) were re-routed to Ottawa, Montreal or Hamilton.

[ August 02, 2005, 08:36 PM: Message edited by: canmark ]

From the way the earliest reports sounded (which I caught before I left work today) I had the impression that the plane burst into flames immediately in a huge fireball and there wouldn't be many survivors. To hear now that everyone survived with only minor injuries is wonderful news.

Thank God no one died! Kudos to everyone who evacuated so quickly.

On a related note, there is no truth to the rumor that immediately upon hearing an Air France jet had exploded, Jacques Chirac exclaimed, "We surrender!" (with nods to PF)

That flight number, along with American Airlines Flight 191, were both retired after their respective accidents. For those who don't remember, AA 191 remains the U.S.'s single worst aviation disaster when on May 25, 1979, a DC-10 crashed upon take-off from Chicago O'Hare, killing 273 people.

In case anyone's interested in a cool site, check this out:

http://www.airdisaster.com/

Photos can be checked out here

And that is a HUGE reminder to all of us who travel frequently that those safety briefings are not worthless. The plane was apparently full of flames within 90 seconds - 2 minutes of the crash, yet everyone got out basically okay. That is exactly the time frame to which airlines are held for emergency evacuations, and as long as you have to get out if there is a crash.

Unlike the Sioux City crash, there was no warning for these passengers, so they had to deal with disorientation and shock at the same time as they were evacuating.

I travel extensively for my job, and people think I am nuts, but I read that little safety card on every single flight, even when I am very familiar with the type of plane. I count the rows between both the exit in front and behind me, and I review how to open both the door and window exits, just in case. I also make sure to wear only natural fibers (polyesters can burn your skin very badly, even if you are only in hot smoke) and always travel with my contact lenses in, so I don't have to worry about losing my glasses in a crash.

Something like 80% of fatalities in plane crashes were people who actually survived the crash - they died because they could not evacuate quickly enough. Your life may depend on those safety briefings, and in remembering NOT to take any carry-on luggage with you when you evacuate. There is nothing in your luggage that is worth your life, and certainly nothing in your luggage that is worthy MY life.

75% of the passengers were OUT of the plane by the time emergency crews arrived, which was in 58 seconds. The rest were out in between a 1:30-2 minutes after the crash.

Sounds like the flight crew did a great job.

Some excellent points, CPT. I wonder how many of us take that information for granted.

Like you, I also count the number of rows between my seat and the exit rows. I pay attention to what kind of door is there and how to open it. In short, I strive to make sure I know how to get off the plane.

Exactly! I have often said, I will push the women and children out of my way to evacuate in a crash

Interesting timing for this since I'll be flying to L.A. on Sunday. I do look at the safety card a little, but the diagrams aren't the best sometimes. I'd rather have written notes on it. But I do pay attention to the flight attendants' presentation.

As for luggage, if I have to evacuate I'm taking my iPod and you can't stop me! wink

I only do that if they happen to be a Cubs fan.

thanks for the tips cpptdoom. i usually ignore the safety reminders.

MIB, i'll do that too if they were skanks fans.