49 dead in plane crash

Source: CCTV.com

08-28-2006 10:14

49 people are reported to have been killed as a commuter jet crashed just after take off in Kentucky. Just one of the 50 passengers on board survived and is in a critical condition. Investigators are examining the possibility that the jet tried to take off on a runway which was too short.

The crash was the worst in the US in nearly five years.

Flight 5191 was a 52 seat Bombardier Canadair CRJ 200 jet, operated by Delta Airlines's regional carrier, Comair.

It was due to fly from Lexington in Kentucky to Altlanta in Georgia, and was carrying 47 passengers and three crew on board.

The regional jet crashed on Sunday morning local time shortly after taking off.

The lone survivor is a critical condition in a local hospital.

A temporary mortuary is being set up at the scene.

Coroners on the spot say the deaths were caused either by the impact or fire on board. The bodies will later be brought to the local medical examiner's center for further investigation.

Aircraft accident investigators say there's no indication that security related issues were responsible for the crash, and are reporting that the fire only broke out on impact.

Editor:WangKe