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Plane Crashes Into Airport VIP Lounge In Rwanda: One Person Dead

by Yuliya Talmazan | November 12, 2009 at 10:10 am

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A commuter plane operated by RwandAir has crashed on takeoff into the wall of a VIP lounge at the international airport in Kigali, Rwanda. The 57-seat Bombardier CRJ100 plane owned by JetLink Express was headed for Entebbe, Uganda. The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed, but it is alleged engine problems did not let the plane take off, eventually leading the pilot to run into the VIP lounge of the airport. It is reported one person was killed and ten were taken to hospital. One of the pilots is in critical condition.

[q url="http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world/several-people-injured-after-rwandair-commuter-plane-crashes-into-airport-wall_100273920.html"]RwandAir Acting-CEO Jack Ekl told BNO News that the plane reported a problem shortly after it had taken off from Kigali airport. After making a safe emergency landing at the airport where it took off, the aircraft taxied to the parking bay of the airport. “Just as they stopped the aircraft, the engine suddenly went to one-hundred percent power,” Ekl said. JetLink’s commercial manager said it had struck the wall of the airport’s VIP Lounge, but said no one inside the building was injured.

A total of fifteen people were on board the aircraft, including five crew members. “[All passengers] came out on their own power,” Ekl said, adding that everyone was taken to a local hospital for observation. Ekl believed one of the passengers, a woman, had passed away at the hospital, but said he had not yet received confirmation from officials.

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Jackie Okutoi

at 12:49 on November 13th, 2009

This is really sad news. I worked at Jetlink and know the Capt. who's in critical condition. My thoughts and prayers go out to you buddy and to the FO as well as all those who got injured and to the lady who passed away.