TheByte

Mikael

There has been a devastating plane crash at the Madrid airport. Spanish newspaper El Mundo reports that perhaps even 50 people have died!

Here's what BBC News has about it:

Plane skids off runway in Madrid


A passenger plane has skidded off a runway on takeoff at Madrid airport, local media report.
There are conflicting reports of possible fatalities and injuries.
The plane belonged to Spanair, a major charter carrier, and some 160 people were on board at the time of the incident, reports say.
The cause of the apparent accident remains unknown. TV footage showed smoke billowing from the craft, which was destined for Gran Canaria.
Emergency services are attending the scene.
Weather conditions in Madrid were fine at the time of the incident.
There are reports of a fire in the left engine during take-off at around 1430 local time, says the BBC's Steve Kingstone in Madrid.

The plane came down during or shortly after take-off, local media say, quoting aviation authorities.

BBC NEWS | Europe | 'Seven dead' in Spain plane crash

Mikael

CNN:


Deaths reported in Spanish plane crash

MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- An aircraft heading to the Canary Islands skidded off the runway at a Madrid airport Wednesday, throwing up clouds of gray and black smoke.

Spain's two leading newspapers are reporting between 20 and 50 deaths in the incident, but CNN could not independently confirm those figures.

Officials at Barajas Airport said there were believed to be injuries from the crash which may have been caused by an engine on the Spanish budget airline jet catching fire.

The incident happened as Spanair Flight 5022 was taking off from the main runway, the official said. It was headed to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, a more than two-hour flight.

The Red Cross in Spain told CNN that it has set up a field hospital at the airport to treat the injured.

Spanair is one of Spain's three major private carriers.

CNN sister station CNN+ is reporting that the plane may have veered off the runway after experiencing engine problems, sparking a fire. Spanish media reported at least 11 fire engines were dispatched to control the blaze.

Media reports say around 160 people were on board.

Deaths reported in Spanish plane crash - CNN.com

Mikael

CNN Live Video:

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

Rob

Things like this are a reminder of how uncertain our lives really are -- any one of us could be killed tomorrow ...or next week...or in 20 years.

Very terrible news.

Mikael

Spanish officials have confirmed that at least 45 people have died.

This is terrible news indeed. I was there (Madrid Barajas airport) just last Thursday.

The Artist

Now they say over 100..
Man this is so sad..
These damn airlines need to take aviation seriously and mentain their aircraft..
And there should be a rule that says no Aircraft over 25 years in commercial use..

Gullwing

Only 22 or so servived.

The MD80 was launched tward the end of 1980 so the oldest ones are only 28 years old.

Airlines should take more care in the maintence of aircraft, the air force has B52s that are still flying after nearly 50 years and are still going strong.

This plane had an issue before takeoff with a temp sensor, which they "fixed" before takeoff.

Gullwing

McDonnell Douglas MD-80 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As of 13 August 2008, the MD-80 series had been involved in 56 incidents, including 23 hull-loss accidents, with 1,023 fatalities.

So as of today 57 incidents, 24 hull-loss with around 1,170 fatalities.


The MD 80 does not appear to be the safest plane and not very fuel efficient, I don't think it will last too much longer with the main airlines. 787 will be a great replacement.

The Diva

Such a tragedy!!!

some time ago I remember the "deca-phobia" ( fear of flying in a DC-10)

there's a whole list of most accident-prone plains here:

Airsafe.com

Gullwing

http://www.msnbc.msn.com

153 dead with only 19 surviving

Allard, the Spanair spokesman, said the crashed plane passed an inspection in January and no problems had been reported since then. The plane was 15 years old and has been owned by Spanair the past nine, he said.