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February 11, 2011

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6 die as plane crashes in Ireland

A SMALL commuter aircraft carrying 12 people crashed and caught fire yesterday while trying to land in heavy fog at Cork Airport in southwest Ireland, killing at least six people, authorities said.

Cork County Council, which oversees emergency services, said six people died and six others were injured. The Irish Aviation Authority responsible for running the airport said the fog was so thick that air traffic controllers in a nearby tower could not see the crash.

Council spokeswoman Kay Keegan said two passengers were cut from the wreckage, and the survivors were taken to Cork University Hospital.

The Irish Aviation Authority said the aircraft, a turboprop leased to Isle of Man-based airline Manx2.com, aborted two landing attempts before crashing on the third. It had been traveling from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Authority chief executive Eamonn Brennan said the pilots were trying to land using instruments. He said prevailing winds were weak and not a factor, while Cork frequently suffers from fog.

Brennan said the pilot first tried to land on the southern runway but pulled up, then immediately tried again on the northern runway but aborted that too. He said the pilot waited 20 minutes, then tried the southern runway again - but landed short.

Television footage of the crash scene showed the aircraft's wings were shorn off and the front half of the fuselage was crushed.



 

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