Jet Skids Off Toronto Airport Runway, Catches Fire

[wdlove]

This is currently a developing story of a crash by Air France during landing. My prayers go out to the victims, families, friends, & rescuers.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/4800822/detail.html

 

[AoWolf]

Just saw this looks like some people may have gotten off. (we know the pilot and co pilot got off)

 

[Voidness]

I'm watching the news on TV right now. It's kinda freaky. I arrived at that airport just 2 weeks ago...

 

[AoWolf]

From the eye witness reports it looks like they overshot there runway perhaps do to the weather.

 

[diehldun]

This is horrible. A fully loaded Airbus A340-300...

This does not look good...

 

[0490043]

This is very sad. I don't know what to say.

 

[Peterkro]

At least one radio station is saying everyone got off.

 

[emw]

Horrible news. I don't see how everyone could have survived, but hopefully the radio report is true. However, seeing the words "engulfed in a fireball" doesn't make it seem possible.

 

[dubbz]

However, seeing the words "engulfed in a fireball" doesn't make it seem possible.

No, it doesn't

This is awful..

 

[joepunk]

Wow! This is just horrible and I don't really know what else to say. I guess I will be following the CBC news tonight very closely.

 

[mactastic]

That would really be quite something if everyone made it out alive. Fingers crossed for good news.

 

[msbsound]

CNN says

CNN's breaking news bar says that everyone survived, would be a miracle.

cnn.com

 

[dubbz]

CBC says the same:
No fatalities in Toronto airplane fire

"There were 14 minor injuries, however." .. and that's all. No deaths.

 

[Voidness]

That's really great to hear... I never want to go through such an experience.

 

[joepunk]

CBC says the same:
No fatalities in Toronto airplane fire

"There were 14 minor injuries, however." .. and that's all. No deaths.

That, if absolutely correct, is outstanding great news to hear. Thanks for the update.

 

[Lacero]

Oh man, this is totally reminding me of Final Destination. I hope everyone is ok.

 

[wdlove]

CBC says the same:
No fatalities in Toronto airplane fire

"There were 14 minor injuries, however." .. and that's all. No deaths.

This is certainly great news. Prayers have been answered. Just hope that none of the injuries are too serious. Still very scary situation.

 

[tutubibi]

Amazing and good news is that all 309 people got off safely. Latest news here reports 24 people taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Flames (thick and heavy black smoke) are still here, even 3 hours after the crash, despite constant heavy rain and almost empty fuel tank on the plane when it landed.

No word on cause of the crash but there was heavy downfall and a lot of lighting in the area whole afternoon. Some reports say that plane was hit by the lighting, that would explain reports of the blackout on the plane just before landing.

 

[EJBasile]

That is amazing that no one died and no one really got hurt badly.

I've been in an airplane emergency landing a long time ago. The pilot thought the landing gear was not locking into postition. The plane (a little 15-20 passenger business jet) was supposed to land in CT but had to go to New York where they had better emergency crews. They put the foam stuff on the runway but it turned out that nothing was wrong with the landing gear. It was very scary though, many of the people were crying and calling relatives.

 

[emw]

Great news that no one was killed - amazing really. Lucky people, I'd say.

 

[Rod Rod]

I agree, it is amazing and I'm glad to hear nobody was seriously hurt (according to cnn.com, there were no major injuries).

It sounds like the plane may have been struck by lightning, but that doesn't explain it overshooting the runway. Pilots can typically land planes in very low visibility, so that doesn't sufficiently explain overshooting the runway either. Hopefully everything will be explained in the investigation results.

 

[tutubibi]

The latest theory is that combination of factors caused this crash.

First, heavy rain on the ground affected braking.
Second and more important, sudden wind direction change (from head wind to tail wind) caused plane to land further ahead (closer to the middle of the strip) and increased plane speed.

 

[Duff-Man]

Duff-Man says....I just got an email from a friend of mine that lives a few miles away (Bloor/Royal York area) and they've had the smell of burnt plastic and jet fuel in the area now for a couple hours....oh yeah!

 

[Rod Rod]

The latest theory is that combination of factors caused this crash.

First, heavy rain on the ground affected braking.
Second and more important, sudden wind direction change (from head wind to tail wind) caused plane to land further ahead (closer to the middle of the strip) and increased plane speed.

Yup, and at least one passenger is guessing that the front landing gear may have broken upon touchdown. We'll know for certain soon.

 

[ChrisFromCanada]

I was just driving by the airport Tuesday afternoon before it happened and the weather was horrible. Scattered thunder showers, and changing winds. I was just thinking about how i wouldn't want to be in one of those planes.