Crash: AirBlue A321 near Islamabad on Jul 28th 2010, impacted mountaineous terrain near the airport [UPDATE]

28.07.2010 - 13:52

Smoke rises from Margalla HillsAn AirBlue Airbus A321-200, registration AP-BJB performing flight ED-202 from Karachi to Islamabad (Pakistan) with 146 passengers and 6 crew, was on approach to Islamabad in poor weather conditions (monsoon rain and low visibility) when the airplane impacted the Margalla Hills about 10nm north of the airport. Radio Contact was lost at approx. 09:45L (04:45Z). Smoke is seen rising from the densely tree-covered mountains. The airline said, there are no survivors. The crash site is difficult to access, but rescue forces have now reached the crash site with helicopters. 5 survivors have been flown to hospitals in Islamabad, 6 bodies were recovered. Pakistan s Interior Minister confirmed 5 survivors have been taken to hospitals. He later reported, that the airplane had approached the airport from the Kahuta side (southeast of the airport, suggesting approach to runway 30), but went around and was about to approach the airport from the Rawalpindi side (northwest of the airport suggesting approach to runway 12). While repositioning for the second approach the airplane impacted terrain. Rescue forces reported, that it appeared the airplane was approaching the terrain from about Murree towards Faisal Mosque (which means the airplane was heading straight to the west) and came to rest between Daman-e-Koh and the Faisal Mosque. Islamabad Officials said, that at least 6 bodies including the captain have been recovered, many more bodies were observed on the ground by rescuers. Pakistan s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed 146 passengers and 6 crew were on board. Airbus Industries reported, that Airbus A321-200 MSN 1218 (registration AP-BJB) equipped with V2500 engines was involved in an accident near Islamabad just after 09:45L while performing flight ED-202. The aircraft had accumulated about 34000 flight hours in some 13500 flights. Airbus will provide technical assistance to the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan conducting the investigation into the accident. Metars: OPRN 280600Z 05016KT 4000 RA FEW01ST0 SCT030 OVC100 FEW030TCU 25/24 Q1006.8 OPRN 280500Z 09018KT 3500 RA SCT010 SCT030 OVC100 FEW030 25/24 Q1006.9 OPRN 280400Z 05016KT 3500 SCT010 SCT030 BKN100 FEW030TCU 29/24 1006.7 OPRN 280300Z 05016KT 2000 RA FEW015ST SCT040 BKN100 FEW030TCU 24/23 1006.5 OPRN 280200Z 05016KT 2500 DZ FEW015ST SCT040 BKN100 FEW030TCU 24/23 1005.9 OPRN 280100Z 05018KT 4000 DZ FEW015ST SCT040 BKN100 FEW030TCU 24/23 1005.4 OPRN 280000Z 05018KT 4000 DZ FEW015ST SCT040 BKN100 FEW030TCU 24/23 1005.4 Overview of crash site (Photo: AFP/Aamir Qureshi): Detail Map (Graphics: AVH/Google Earth): Map (Graphics: AVH/Google Earth): Read the article at http://avherald.com/h?articleBee2e58 Modify your subscription at http://avherald.com/h?login