Plane misses runway, lands in lava

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu · 2009-11-20T22:48:17+00:00

20 injured in accident in east Congo; passenger jet was carrying 117 Jean-louis Cheupex / AFP - Getty Images People gather near an airplane from the Compagnie africaine d'aviation (CAA) after its brakes failed at the end of the runway while landing in Goma. updated 2:08 p.m. ET Nov. 19, 2009 KINSHASA, Congo - A passenger plane overshot the runway Thursday, landing in hardened lava surrounding an airport in eastern Congo and injuring 20 people, a U.N.-run radio station reported. The plane was flying from Kinshasa to Goma, and passengers had warned the crew that there were heavy clouds, Radio Okapi said. An official from the U.N. mission in Congo, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he does not have permission to speak with media, said there were 117 passengers aboard. They included the governor of North Kivu province, who was not hurt. Story continues below ↓ The plane was operated by CAA (Compagnie Africaine d'Aviation).A 2002 volcanic eruption sent lava oozing onto Goma's runway, truncating it from more than 2 miles (3 kilometers) to less than a mile (1.5 kilometers). Authorities have not removed all of the lava rock. A cargo plane burst into flames after hitting hardened lava on the airport runway in 2007, killing at least eight. And in April 2008, a DC-9 rammed into a bustling market after failing to lift off from Goma's airport, killing at least 40 people, most of them on the ground. Congo has experienced more fatal plane crashes than any other African country since 1945, according to the Aviation Safety Network. However, flying remains one of the more dependable ways to cross the vast country. The country, which is bigger than Western Europe, has only 300 miles (500 kilometers) of paved roads. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34043386/ns/travel-news?GT1=43001

Thread starter Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu
Start date Nov 21, 2009

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu

JamiiForums uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.

Accept Learn more…

Back

Top Bottom

Forums

New posts

Plane misses runway, lands in lava

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu

JF-Expert Member

Our Community

Regional Communities