by B. N. Sullivan
An Ilyushin IL-76 freighter has crashed shortly after takeoff from Karachi, Pakistan. The aircraft, operating as Sun Way flight MGC-4412, had just departed Karachi, bound for Khartoum, Sudan. It crashed into a residential area and burned. Local authorities say that there were no survivors among the eight crew members on board. Fatalities and injuries on the ground also have been reported, although the number of casualties has not been determined.
The accident happened just before 02:00 AM local time, on November 28, 2010. Eyewitness reports suggest an engine may have been on fire prior to the crash, and that the aircraft may have been attempting to return to the airport. The engine fire has not been confirmed by official sources.
Geo News reports that the accident site is "near Dalmia area in Gulistan-e-Johar locality." News media say that the aircraft crashed into a building that was under construction, near residential apartments housing Pakistani Navy officers. The crash sparked what has been described as a massive blaze.
A dramatic photo of the crash site has been posted to the MSNBC.com Photo Blog. Geo TV aired live streaming video of the burning accident site, some of which was also broadcast by CNN. RTVCHD posted this video on YouTube:
If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on YouTube.
Folks... I live 1.4 KM away from crash site..was woken up by shock wave.. Minimum definition of flyworthiness is.. Having left the Runway surface and clearing buildings in front..A heavier than air machine should have some residual rate of climb.. These God forsaken IL-76s used to request area clearance 500 Ft and below till 15 Miles..and used to brush the roof tops and scare the citizens.. A criminal silence was maintained by Faisal and Masroor military Bases of Pak Air Force which were in the flight path.. On that fateful night Masroor traffic was down and a resultant straight take-off saved city slums of Karachi.. The event has been put to a hush hush..due to only 8+3 casualties.. Else a left hand out could have caused a catastrophe.. Alas my complaints in the middle of the night to Karachi control tower could not make a difference.. An accident is the failure of all those who could avert it.. May God grant peace to departed souls.. Pak air force being the operator of two such planes won't support the ban on type IL-76 in country's air space...
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