RE: Aircraft crash at Birmingham
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/england/newsid_1742000/1742404.stm
Five die in jet crash
Five Americans are dead after the private jet they were in crashed during take-off at Birmingham International Airport.
The aircraft was registered with agricultural equipment giant AGCO Corporation which has its head office in Georgia, USA.
The company also owns an 1,800-employee UK plant in Banner Lane, Coventry.
Initial reports said the twin-engined nine-seater Canadair Challenger clipped its wings on the ground during take-off.
It is believed to have been bound for Bangor in Maine, USA.
Fire crews based at the airport were on the scene within a minute after the crash, which happened at 1207 GMT on Friday.
Initially, it was confirmed that four people had died and a fifth was missing.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said later the remaining person had been found dead.
Eyewitness Joan Hood, who lives near the airport, said: “We heard a muffled explosion and went out into the front of the house and saw a black plume of acrid smoke about 100 feet high.
“The smoke was very thick and our house still smells of it now.”
Gordon Stretch, who was driving into the airport’s long stay car park at the time of the crash, added: “I could see an aircraft had crashed in the centre of the airfield.
“It was surrounded by firefighters who put the fire out within minutes.
“I spoke to one or two people who saw the crash and apparently the plane rolled over to the left just as it took off.
“It is now lying inverted on the centre of the airfield near the fire station.
“The plane is in two parts with the wings and undercarriage in the air. It is a complete burnt out wreck.”
Flights diverted
The airport has been closed and an exclusion zone is in place in the skies above.
Flights destined for Birmingham are being redirected to East Midlands Airport, Manchester Airport and Coventry Airport.
Tony Caruso, manager of Bangor Aviation Services, confirmed on Friday the plane had been scheduled to arrive at the airport between 1800 GMT and 1900 GMT.
He added the aircraft was due to be refuelled and go through customs controls before going on to its destination in the United States, which he said he did not know.
“We just found out as we arrived this morning for work. It’s very sad.”
Steve Evans, from West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “I understand the private aircraft left the departure runway.
“Some witnesses said, and we have had reports, that there was a ball of flames.”
The Department of Transport said that members of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch were on their way to the crash scene.
“There will be full investigation followed by an AAIB report in due course,” a department spokesman said.
In a statement, the Rt Rev Mark Santer, Bishop of Birmingham, described the “This is tragic news at the beginning of a new year.
“We commend those who have died to the mercy of God,” he went on.
“We also think of those members of the emergency services who are dealing with the devastation and the trauma they will suffer.
“We value our airport and its excellent safety record.”
Inside a Challenger aircraft
Crews were on the scene within a minute
Emergency crews launched a major operation
rabie :9
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