Posted on 08/02/2005 1:28:25 PM PDT by mitchbert
Breaking News from CFRB 1010AM News Radio - Toronto
Airliner on fire on the ground at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Unclear as to cause. Announcers asking for updates from motorists in the region on HWY 401. Report says great deal of smoke. I have to go into a meeting shortly but I'll listen for updates as long as I can.
People give flight attendants a hard time, but they are in those planes to save lives in times like this; not to serve drinks (but they do that too). I bet they did their jobs well this time. I hope everyone thinks about this the next time they look down on an FA.
***
Amen. Have great respect for flight attendants. One applied CPR to a friend who was having a heart attack some years ago...saved his life. Pray for her every day.
Now, why didn't I think of that? You're absolutely right.
It may turn out that the plane splitting in two was a lucky break that made it easier to escape the plane than had the plane stayed intact.
One eyewitness says plane hit by lightening.
PER CNN, Witness said plane hit by Lightning
Passenger jet on fire at Toronto airport
CTV.ca News StaffA passenger jet burst into flames after skidding off the runway while attempting to land at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
There is no word on any casualties and the number of passengers on board was not immediately available.
But police have confirmed that a pilot and a number of passengers were taken to hospital.
Sgt. Glyn Griffiths told the Globe and Mail that some injured passengers were seen walking around the crash site.
"A pilot has gone to hospital and they were picked up on the 401 [highway] and a number of other passengers were wandering around the area so we're trying to head them off,'' said Griffiths.
Griffiths indicated the aircraft was an Air France jet that was trying to land when it ran into trouble.
"An Air France plane landing on runway 2-4 left went off the end of the runway the area of Convert Drive and the 401 area in Mississauga," said Griffiths.
"I haven't got any information on casualties at all."
Air France has not released a statement, but a ticket agent with the airline told Reuters that the burning plane is an A340 airbus that was travelling from Paris to Toronto.
Live television pictures showed flames and smoke billowing from the aircraft in a wooded area just metres from Highway 401 -- Canada's busiest highway -- near the airport. A section of the plane's wing could be seen jutting from the trees.
CTV Toronto's Jim Junkin reports that 200 people are thought to have been on board.
Severe storms were hitting the area at the time of the accident, grounding most operations at the airport.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing lightning hit the plane before it burst into flames.
The Greater Toronto Airport Authority is expected to hold a press conference tonight at 6 p.m. ET.
Why?
That's FAA certification requirement. Must be able to empty in 90 seconds with half of the exits blocked.
MSNBC showing the storm that blew through Toronto at the time of this crash. It may be wild speculation, but I would say this was weather related.
I've enjoyed listening to CNN's coverage of this. They had a very credible eyewitness who performed well on air and who also has a habit of watching the planes land after he gets off of work. Also, Miles O'Brien is apparently a pilot, and he mentioned "get-home-itis".
Amen.
I distrust morons with axes to grind more than the government, however.
Wow... didn't realize that Alex Jones was a freeper.
That's ridiculous. Airliners have weather radar and [lightning} strike finders. Plus company wx service.
I post occasionally on airliners.net. People know their stuff, but are almost totally anti-American.
The media pogues are just talking to fill up airtime now. They couldn't possibly know what the pilot did or didn't know.
Fools.
Passenger being interviewed on CNN...
Passenger being interviewed on ITV...
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