Jet crash-lands at San Francisco airport
AN ASIANA Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft crash-landed at San Francisco International Airport yesterday, US aviation authorities said.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Images showed that the cabin of the plane was almost completely burned out.
One of the survivors tweeted a picture of passengers fleeing the plane. Video footage showed the jet, Flight 214 from Seoul, South Korea, on its belly surrounded by firefighters.
The airport has been closed until further notice, US Fed- eral Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsfor told AFP, after confirming the crash-landing.
California highway police also temporarily closed all roads near the facility — a major international hub, especially for flights to and from Asia.
Local media reported there were around 290 people aboard and multiple witnesses said the plane had approached the runway at an awkward angle, with some onlookers saying they heard a loud bang.
One dramatic photo tweet- ed by someone claiming to be a survivor showed people streaming out of the jet, which was missing its tail.
An inflatable slide was at the front entrance and at least part of the aircraft’s landing gear was separated from the fuselage.
“I just crash-landed at SFO. Tail ripped off. Most everyone seems fine. I'm ok,” the survivor, David Eun, wrote.
But an aerial photo showed a more distressing scene, with almost the entire roof of the plane and the cabin seating area destroyed by fire.
The aircraft’s wings were still attached and other emergency exits also appeared to have been used.
Some passengers were reported to be in need of burn treatment, according to Redwood City Fire Department.
The accident site was covered in white foam, with at least six fire trucks at the scene. However, there was little indication of whether passengers had been killed in the incident, or taken away by emergency staff.
The Asiana Airlines website says the Boeing 777 can carry between 246 and 300 passengers. —