Air Algerie plane crash adds to horror week for aviation

Air Algerie plane crash adds to horror week for aviation
By admin


The search is on for the wreckage of an Air Algerie plane after it crashed over Mali in Africa, carrying 110 passengers, while on route from Burkina Faso to Algiers.

Authorities believe Flight AH5017 may have been brought down by bad weather after the pilot requested to change direction shortly after takeoff due to a storm.

The exact location of the crash site remains unknown with conflicting reports of the wreckage had been spotted in the far north, toward the Algerian border between the towns of Aguelhoc and Kidal and remains in southern Mali, 50 km (30 miles) from the Burkinabe border.

The search for the plane will be a tedious one due to the vast scale and daunting terrain of Mali, with the suspected area of crash site a sparsely inhabited region of scrubland and desert dunes stretching to the foothills of the Adrar des Ifoghas mountains.

Additionally, much of this area lies in the hands of Tuareg separatist rebels and the Malian government has only a weak presence in the region, relying on French and U.N. peacekeepers for aircraft and logistical support.

This plane crash adds to a devastating week in aviation with the Malaysia Airlines plane that was downed over Ukraine last week, the TransAsia Airways crashed off Taiwan during a thunderstorm and airlines temporarily cancelled flights into Tel Aviv due to the conflict in Gaza.

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