August 27, 2006
Plane Crashes Near Ky. Airport (Judy Sarasohn, 8/27/06, Washington Post)
A Comair flight carrying 50 people crashed a mile from Lexington, Ky.'s airport early this morning shortly after takeoff. Only one person survived and is in critical condition, according to airline, airport and hospital officials. [...]The twin-engine aircraft, a Bombardier Canadair CRJ-100, can carry up to 50 passengers, according to Delta's Web site.
Posted by Orrin Judd at August 27, 2006 8:50 AM
A Canadian-made plane, eh? Not a Brazilian one. So is Canada "third world" or "Anglosphere"?
Posted by: Raoul Ortega at August 27, 2006 2:52 PMThe current news is that the plane may have taken off from the wrong runway (only about 3500' ft. long, instead of 7000+' ft.). The flight was cleared for take-off at 6:05 AM and there was apparently no radio call. There are conflicting reports about weather conditions (clear and 6 mi. visibility vs. stormy and possible wind shear).
The longer runway was closed last week for re-paving, so that may be a factor in any confusion.
Thank you for no derisive comments about Bombardier. The engines apparently are GE (which is being sued by China for a CRJ crash there a couple of years ago).
If the answer is as 'simple' as pilot error, we'll know soon. The F/O survived the crash and is in surgery.
Posted by: jim hamlen at August 27, 2006 3:15 PMKnow anyone who drives a Canadian car?
Posted by: oj at August 27, 2006 3:54 PMFord, GM or Chrysler?
Oh, okay, you've got a point.
The Japanese also assemble cars in Canada.
The Lexington airport was featured in a Delta incident about 8 or 10 years ago - a flight that was heading for Louisville landed at Lexington instead (it was at night). I never heard the final word on that one. Or if the passengers had to take a bus to finish the trip.
Posted by: jim hamlen at August 27, 2006 5:26 PMWe'd all fly Japanese planes.
Posted by: oj at August 27, 2006 5:56 PM