Henan Disaster, 43 Confirmed Dead as Plane Overshoots Runway

Published : August 25, 2010 :: 14:08:38 [ 851 views ]

Forty three people have died and fifty four are injured, after a passenger plane burst into flames as it overshot the runway in China.

China, 25^th August 2010: Dozens of bodies have been recovered after the plane they were travelling on broke in two as it hit the ground, overshooting the runway of Yichun Airport which only opened last year, by 1.5km, at 02.10 GMT. The Henan Airline airplane, had taken off at Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province with ninety one passengers and five crew members.

Reports from unnamed witnesses said the plane appeared to have burst into flames before overshooting the runway. As rescuers searched through the wreckage they did not expect to find further survivors as chances of survival were slim for those thrown out of the cabin on impact.

The Chinese state television broadcasted the events, stories from survivors told of panic and terror as the plane tried, but failed to land. They said the plane jolted five or six times and crashing sounds were heard before impact. Passengers panicked and rushed to the front as smoke poured into the cabin, in order to escape, but the emergency doors would not open.

Of the fifty four injured, two are in a critical condition. One of the injured survivors is the pilot, but he has not been able to talk yet due to the severity of his facial injuries. Five of the passengers are children, but their fate remains unknown. Families of the victims are said to be waiting for news.

Causes of the crash as yet, remain unknown, but some officials at the scene noted heavy fog, while others suggested that there was possibly a fault with the Brazilian made Embraer E-190 jet.

Henan Airlines which is based in Henan province is a joint venture between Shenzhen Airlines and Mesa Air Group of the US and was previously known as Kunpeng Airlines. A team of CAAC officials and technicians are reported to be on their way to Yichun City to begin their investigations. The black box has been recovered.

Reggie Colbeck

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