Ilyushin Il-76 Freighter Crashes in Karachi

[LHR786]

At least 8 crew members have reportedly died as a Russian-made cargo plane crashed into under construction buildings shortly after taking off near Dalmia area of Gulistan-e-Johar locality in Karachi.

he crash site in on fierce fire with blue flames raging sky-high meanwhile, rescue activities have been kicked off as the fire tenders, law enforcement agencies, police officials have made their ways to the crash site. Earlier, people claimed hearing a powerful explosion, which turned a plane crash.

Hundreds of people have arrived on the spot while the crash site is on fire and thick smoke is emitting from the scene, eyewitnesses said.

Eyewitness Adnan, talking to Geo News said the right engine of the plane caught fire first then, while preparing to take turn, it crashed into ground

[speedbird1960]

It has crashed into a Naval housing colony, casualties on the ground unknown.

Last updated Sunday, Nov 28th 2010 20:58

http://avherald.com/h?article=433ef657

[LHR786]

* All eight people aboard the aircraft were foreign nationals, according to latest reports. The eight member crew aboard the aircraft included:

2 x pilots
2 x flight engineers
1 x navigator
2 x technicians
1 x load master

* The aircraft was chartered by Georgian company Sunway Airline.

* The aircraft was carrying a a load of tents. Cargo load of 31 tonnes was carried by the aircraft.

* Tents were to be flown to Khartoum, Sudan.

* Aircraft was refueled at Karachi for flight duration of 7 hours and 40 minutes.

* Flight duration from Karachi to Khartoum is approximately 6 hours.

* One news channel says the ill-fated Il-76 had ferried a PIA aircraft engine to Karachi.

The ill-fated aircraft was most likely Ilyushsin Il-76TD registered in Georgia as 4L-MGC and operated by Sun Way.

[LHR786]

Latest reports say that aircraft had arrived at Karachi with a load of tents destined for Sudan and after getting refueled at Karachi the aircraft took-off for flight to Khartoum, Sudan.

Black box not recovered so far.

The summary of CAA spokesman statement:

* Aircraft took-off from Karachi Airport at 1:45AM local time (November 28).

* Karachi ATC noticed smoke/fire emitted by the aircraft.

* No communication about problem experienced the aircraft took place between flight crew and ATC.

* Aircraft crashed with one minute after take-off from Karachi Airport.

Witnesses spoke of their horror at seeing a fireball racing through the night sky.

"I saw a fireball plummeting to ground," a milk seller said. He had been going home on his motorbike after closing his shop.

"It was so huge and quick. I was terrified."

"I couldn't see what it was. I sped up to save my life and after a few seconds I heard a deafening explosion, but thanks to God my life was saved and I was not injured."

[scanhorse]

Newspapers call him the "FireBall of Karatchi" like a bomb RIP

[speedbird1960]

Video footage on France24.

http://www.france24.com/en/20101128-fiery-cargo-plane-crash-kills-crew-members-pakistan-russian-aviation-accident

Amateur footage of the IL76 on fire before it crashed, best viewed in full screen mode if you want
to see it in more detail. Just click on underlined text at the top of the video.