Ethiopian Airlines Crash: Pilot of Boeing jet that crashed, reported ‘difficulties’; wanted to turn back
In an Ethiopian Airlines jet, that was flying from Addis Ababa to Kenya’s capital Nairobi all 157 people on board killed in the crash on Sunday. The flight lost control with the tower within six minutes after takeoff. According to the Airlines statement, the pilot of Boeing 737 that crashed had alerted controllers “he had difficulties.” The pilot wanted to turn back the jet carrying 157 people, the head of Ethiopian Airlines said.
Chief executive officer Tewolde GebreMariam told journalists that the pilot “was given clearance” to return to Addis. All the 149 passengers and 8 crew members died in the crash. There are no survivors, added state broadcaster.
Authorities said Canadians, Chinese, Americans, Italians, Indians, French, British, Egyptians among those killed in Ethiopian plane crash. "Four Indians among the 157 people who lost their lives after Addis Ababa-Nairobi flight crashed," said airlines.
#UPDATE The Associated Press: Authorities say Canadians, Chinese, Americans, Italians, Indians, French, British, Egyptians among those killed in Ethiopian plane crash. https://t.co/DXgGnpp3Or
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2019
The flight left Bole airport in Addis Ababa at 8.38 am local time, and lost control with the tower just a few minutes later at 8.44 am. Flight ET 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, near capital Addis Ababa, the airline said, adding that the plane was a Boeing 737-800 MAX, registration number ET-AVJ.
An Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said 32 Kenyans and 17 Ethiopians were among the victims. Records show that the plane was new. The Planespotters civil aviation database shows that the Boeing 737-8 MAX was delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in mid-November.
Also read: Ethiopian Airlines Crash: 4 Indians among 157 killed in flight to Nairobi
First published: 11 March 2019, 11:35 IST