Cypriot plane crashes in Greece

[cannedmoose]

A Cypriot passenger airliner carrying at least 121 people has crashed north-east of Athens.
The plane - from Helios Airways - hit a mountain as it approached Athens after one pilot was seen slumped in his seat and the other could not be seen.

An air traffic controller at Athens airport told the AFP news agency the plane, travelling from Larnaca, Cyprus, crashed into the Euboea peninsula.

The crash was reported by F-16 pilots sent to aid the struggling plane.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4150312.stm

[Crash Test Dummy]

is there any more detail about what happened to the pilots?

[cannedmoose]

Last I heard from the news was that a passenger on board sent a text to a member of his family saying that it had suddenly gone extremely cold inside the plane - "Farewell cousin we're freezing," the message read. I know it's speculation, but it might have been a sudden depressurisation in the cockpit which took out the pilots... we'll have to wait and see

[cannedmoose]

Watching ERT via the internet and I doubt anyone has survived this... there are no identifiable parts of the wreckage, the hill that it hit has been stripped bare of trees... I just saw film of someone carrying an unidentifiable body part so I think all have been lost.

[cannedmoose]

Can't tell you what ERT are reporting as my Greek isn't that great. Just saw a big section of the tail laying on the ground and a large section of forest on fire. Looks like the plane was bound for Prague rather than Athens.

[cannedmoose]

From BBC News:

The mayor of Grammaticos, one of the towns near the crash site, said only the tail was recognisable.

"The fuselage has been destroyed. It fell into a chasm and there are pieces. All the residents are here trying to help," George Papageorgiou said.

[erolz]

:(

a tradgic event. my heart goes out to those that have lost loved ones

[cannedmoose]

Just heard that none of my close relatives were travelling, still waiting for the full passenger list to see if anyone we know was on it. Condolenses go to anyone who was...

[MicAtCyp]

Latest news say 80 out of 115 passengers were small children! Not even one survived. Reports say they saw a wounded child somewhere though, who knows?
I was watching the news, one captain said its impossible the problem was simply due to depressurising the aircraft.Most propably he said something sudden happened in the pilots room, propably fire.
Terrorist attack (a bomb in the pilots room) is not excluded.All Airports in Mediteranean area are on red-alarm

[cannedmoose]

Not convinced about a terrorist link... who'd want to attack a Cypriot aircraft? I think it's more likely that the cabin suddenly depressurised at high altitude, the pilots did not have time to put on their masks before they passed out. This would explain why they were slumped over, why the plane suddenly froze inside and also why there appear to be few or no survivors. In a 'controlled' crash landing, some passengers usually survive, in a catastrophic, uncontrolled descent, usually no-one makes it out, as appears in this case. The fuselage is mashed into a hillside, it would be a miracle if anyone survived that.

[cannedmoose]

Helios Airways air crash - Airline spokesman - Statement
CNA - Nicosia-Cyprus - 14/8/2005 16:20

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1620:CYPPRESS:06

Helios Airways air crash - Airline spokesman - Statement

Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- A spokesman for Helios Airways, whose Boeing 737 crashed north of Athens, said all options are being investigated with regard to the crash.

In a short statement to the press, the first since flight HCY 522 crashed around noon today, Helios Spokesman Nikos Anastasiades said the airline is doing its best to help the families of the 115 passengers and six members of the crew.

The entire statement reads as follows:

''An Helios Airways aircraft heading for Athens and Prague, with 115 passengers and six crew on board, crashed north of Athens around 1220.

Rescue teams are at the scene of the crash.

All options as to the cause of the crash are being investigated.

The government has set up a management crisis centre at Larnaca Airport to help the relatives of the passengers and the crew.

Our thoughts are with the families of the passengers and the crew and we are doing everything possible to give them all necessary information of this tragic accident.''

Anastasiades did not take any questions.

Meanwhile a ten-member crisis management team began operating at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, coordinated by the Permanent Secretary Ambassador Sotos Zakheos, as soon as news of the air crash came through.

Special teamw to help manage the crisis were also set up at the Cypriot embassy in Athens and the Cyprus Police Headquarters in Nicosia.

[cannedmoose]

Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus President
CNA - Nicosia-Cyprus - 14/8/2005 16:27

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1630:CYPPRESS:07

Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus President

Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos expressed shock and deep sorrow at the death of many people in today's air crash of an Helios Airlines aircraft, near Athens.

Under-secretary to the President Christodoulos Pashardis read a statement on behalf of President Papadopoulos at Larnaca airport after a lengthy emergency meeting.

The statement reads as follows:

''On behalf of the government, interpreting the feelings of the people of Cyprus, I would like to express to the relatives of the victims of the tragedy my deepest condolences.

At this very difficult time, I want to assure them that they will have our full solidarity.''

An Helios Airways Boeing 737, carrying 115 passengers and six crew, crashed near Athens at around noon today. Its final destination was Prague. No names have been released and no information about the cause of the crash.

A spokesman for the airline said all options are being investigated.

[cannedmoose]

Knowing Cypriots, I don't think Helios will be flying for much longer. PIK are reporting that although this was a new aircraft, it's the same aircraft that had difficulties in June with pressurisation and was forced to make an emergency landing. If Helios are found in any way to have failed in remedying the fault, I think Cypriots will abandon them in droves, which will be sad as I've flown with them a few times and haven't had any great reason to complain about them. They certainly broke the monopoly of CY which has helped flight price competition. I spoke to my cousin earlier on who's due to fly with Helios next week and he's already booking another flight with BA. Sadly, I don't think he'll be alone.

[cannedmoose]

Just heard that my wife's second cousin and their whole family were on the plane, she didn't know them very well as they lived in Protoras, but nonetheless it's still a tragedy. I guess with 121 people dead, this is going to be a common theme in Cyprus. Condolences to anyone else who's lost people.

[Dhavlos]

Moose, im sorry to hear of your loss, silibiteria, and i send my condolences to all those families and freinds who knew people on that plane.