Air France Aircraft on Fire at Pearson Airport (Toronto) (Update: Minor injuries)

CFRB 1010AM Radio ^ | Aug 2 2005

[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.

[Steve_Seattle]

Apparently the major fire didn't start immediately upon impact, as some early reports suggested. I didn't see how everyone could get out if there was an immediate explosion or major fire with a lot of smoke. But I can see how most everyone got out if there was a few minute delay before all the smoke and fire. However, I still don't see how they accounted for everyone so quickly.

[michigander]

This is a miracle!!

Indeed.
Sort of hard to believe as it still seems a bit early for that kind of statement.

Expect the worst and pray for the best.

[Daus]

It was kinda interesting, if the individuals had at least a good vocabulary and some intelligence.

The early years are always overrated. :)

[TomGuy]

[Windsong]

You should do a search for "Airbus" threads. Total joke.

[BigSkyFreeper]

AP reporting it's an Air France A340 originating from Paris.

[Sonar5]

You said:
"That is the -600, very long range jet. Thai flys them JFK to Bangkok non stop.

The crashed one is -300, shorter range, more pax."

Nope, you're wrong again.... lol

So, you're saying a 300 Series A340 is configured for less passengers than a 600 Series A340.

I don't think so, and you're wrong about that bogus claim too.

Maybe lay off the others here, since you've shown you don't know everything there is to know about what you claim to know.

From:
http://events.airbus.com/product/a340_a300_introduction.asp

"The A340-300 flies 295 passengers in a typical three-class cabin layout over 7,400 nm/13,700 km range. It is powered by CFM56-5C engines."

From:
http://events.airbus.com/product/a340_a600_introduction.asp

"Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines, the A340-600 flies 380 passengers in a three-class cabin layout over 7,900 nm/14,700 km."

[null and void]

jdm ~ "It still seems awfully early to report everyone survived."

Steve_Seattle ~ Yes it does, particularly with people scrambling out of the plane and running every which way, some perhaps in ambulances, others in buses, the plane still in flames, etc.

But not to early to rule out terrorism...

[Tennessee_Bob]

I don't think that post evolved from any previous posts.

What - are you trying to say that it just popped into being? One second it's not there, the next second it is? Oh, come on now...

;)

[michigander]

No fatalities in Toronto airplane fire

CBC News Viewpoint | July 2005

All 309 people aboard a jet that overshot a runway and burst into flames at Pearson International Airport Tuesday survived the ordeal, according to fire officials on the scene.

There were 14 minor injuries, however.

The airplane was trying to land in bad weather when it skidded off the east-west runway just metres from one of Toronto's busiest roads, Highway 401.

The jet ended up in the Etobicoke Creek ravine, a small valley at the far west end of the airport, the aircraft's fuselage tipped down and its tail in the air.

---

This page also has emails from witnesses and such.

[AGreatPer]

Passanger said lights went out about one minute before crash. Hmmmmm.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

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 was on an Eastern Airlines flight, with my wife, coming out of Atlanta in the late 70's or very early 80's. The left engine blew up and fire and parts were shooting out. A stewardess set down and buckled herself in the empty seat to my right and started crying hysterically. Perhaps they are better trained today.

[BigSkyFreeper]

CFRB-AM 680 also said some passengers could be seen climbing from the plane and that emergency workers said most of 252 people on board were safe.

[LucyJo]

Amazing pics. Amazing stats. Thanks.

A lot of folks should be giving thanks right now.

[Warren_Piece]

Thanks - as you probably know, it's from a rap-to-Latin-to-English translation of "Baby Got Back". Because this appears to be a joyous, miraculous day, I post the following excerpt:

magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
(Large buttocks are pleasing to me, nor am I able to lie concerning this matter.)
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur,
(For who, colleagues, would not admit,)
cum puella incedit minore medio corpore
(Whenever a girl comes by with a rather small middle part of the body)
sub quo manifestus globus, inflammare animos
(Beneath which is an obvious spherical mass, that it inflames the spirits)
virtute praestare ut velitis, notantes bracas eius
(So that you want to be conspicuous for manly virtue, noticing her breeches)

[PAR35]

Makes you wonder about the accuracy of the press's reporting on topics you know little about.

That's why I like my news filtered through FR. No matter what the subject, there is someone here who knows more than the reporter.

Per Google, it looks like Air France flies a 276 seat configuration. Add in crew, held babies, etc, and you could have as many as 290 or so bodies on board.

[michigander]

The early years are always overrated. :)

LMAO!!

[GMMAC]

"If it's wind shear without rain, there are no water drops to bounce the radar signal back off, therefore no detection."

I'm less than 2 miles immediately South of Pearson Airport and there was big time rain, wind and lightening at the 4:12 EDST point of impact. Suspect the plane was hit by lightening and its electrical system cut out.

[Sonar5]

Wow, 14 is truly a blessing.

Can you imagine if this had happened at JFK in New York?

You may have 2700 Illegal Immigrants claiming injuries at Hospitals stating they were on the plane. lol

[BigSkyFreeper]

Passanger said lights went out about one minute before crash. Hmmmmm.

Sounds like electrical or engine failure.