Aviation News

2011-09-15

Angolan Air Force Transport Plane Crash Kills 17

More articles by »
Written by: BNO News
Tags: , , ,

At least 17 people were killed late Wednesday morning when an Air Force plane crashed in central Angola, state-run media reported. Several people survived the accident.

Angola Air Force insignia

The accident happened at around 11:30 am local time when an Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia (T-500) — capable of carrying around 33 people — crashed at Albano Machado Airport near Huambo, the capital of the province with the same name. It is unclear how many people were on board.

The state-run Angola Press (ANGOP) reported that at least seventeen people were killed in the accident, including three Lieutenant-Generals and other military service members. Six civilians, including two women and two children, were also among the fatalities.

ANGOP added that at least six people survived the accident, including the entire flight crew as well as a civilian and a first sergeant. Photos from the scene of the accident showed the cabin of the plane was completely destroyed, although the back and parts of a wing were mostly intact.

The air force plane, which was relatively new, was being used by the army to transport two military delegations. It was not immediately known if the plane was landing or taking off when it crashed and burst into flames.

State-run media reported that an investigation has been launched into the cause of the accident.

Angola’s deadliest plane crash happened in December 1995 when a Trans Service Airlift plane carrying 144 people crashed after taking off from Jamba Airport near Cahungula, killing all but three people on board.

And in November 1983, all 130 people on board a Boeing 737 were killed when the plane crashed near Lubango, the capital city of the province of Huíla. Although authorities said the crash was caused by a technical failure, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) claimed to have shot it down with a surface-to-air missile.



About the Author

BNO News





 
 

 

Over the Edge: How Safe Are LaGuardia’s ‘Short’ Runways?

For decades, La Guardia Airport has been known for its short runways. Are they truly safe for us to takeoff and land on?
by Phil Derner Jr.
3

 
 

Today in Aviation History: December 16th

The midair collision of a United DC-8 and TWA Constellation over New York City, Concorde makes the first sub-3-hour Atlantic crossing, an Air Canada CRJ crashes, and more...
by NYCAviation Staff
726

 

 

Today in Aviation History: November 4th

Milestone: The first ever airship flight is completed between England and France. Tragedies: China Airlines and Bali Air Service flights overrun runways, and Balkan Bulgaran Airlines and Iberia flights crash while performing ap...
by admin

 
 

Today in Aviation History: October 29th

The US Dept. of Justice approves the Delta/Northwest merger, John Glenn becomes the oldest man to enter space, a plane carrying the California Polytechnic State University football team crashes, and more...
by NYCAviation Staff

 
 

August 6th in Aviation History: B-29 Superfortress Drops Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima

The US drops first atomic bomb on Japan, Ted Williams returns to the Red Sox from Korea, Braniff Flight 250 crashes in Nebraska, and more.
by NYCAviation Staff