Passenger plane on fire at Toronto airport
August 2, 2005 1:43 PM Subscribe
Passenger plane on fire at Toronto airport. About 200 people on board.
I can see the smoke from my office building. It was raining like a mother fucker out here not too long ago, which I am guessing caused the crash.
posted by chunking express at 1:53 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by chunking express at 1:53 PM on August 2, 2005
It skidded off the runway while trying to land. We have the tv on but there's still no word on whether anyone has escaped the plane. Yes, the weather has been stormy and wet all afternoon.
The plane is still burning in a ravine near near Corvair Drive, just north of the 401 highway.
posted by maudlin at 1:55 PM on August 2, 2005
The plane is still burning in a ravine near near Corvair Drive, just north of the 401 highway.
posted by maudlin at 1:55 PM on August 2, 2005
Air France 358 from Paris to Toronto
Airbus 340
Crashed near runway 24 Left
SeatGuru reports it seats 276.
posted by ori at 2:01 PM on August 2, 2005
Airbus 340
Crashed near runway 24 Left
SeatGuru reports it seats 276.
posted by ori at 2:01 PM on August 2, 2005
Washingtonpost.com also has a video feed of the traffic camera.
posted by skynxnex at 2:09 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by skynxnex at 2:09 PM on August 2, 2005
They're saying on the video feed that the pilot and passengers were taken to the hospital, so maybe everyone got out!
posted by mrs.pants at 2:16 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by mrs.pants at 2:16 PM on August 2, 2005
Dear God, I hope so...
posted by Moral Animal at 2:18 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by Moral Animal at 2:18 PM on August 2, 2005
CNNi has it on tv right now. Eye witness says that the plane touched the runway but then went off the concrete, onto the grass, and into a valley where it broke into half.
posted by riffola at 2:21 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by riffola at 2:21 PM on August 2, 2005
Police said the plane was an Air France passenger jet that was trying to land when it ran into trouble. There was a storm -- with lightning, strong wind gusts and even hail -- in the area at the time.
Was this a sudden storm, or did Air Traffic Control know about it ahead of time? Seems strange that the plane would have tried to land in a storm that bad.
Hope everyone comes out healthy.
posted by voltairemodern at 2:27 PM on August 2, 2005
Was this a sudden storm, or did Air Traffic Control know about it ahead of time? Seems strange that the plane would have tried to land in a storm that bad.
Hope everyone comes out healthy.
posted by voltairemodern at 2:27 PM on August 2, 2005
Yawn . . . tell me something I don't need mainstream TV to find out.
posted by Coherence Panda at 2:31 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by Coherence Panda at 2:31 PM on August 2, 2005
*waits for "It's only Air France, so who cares?" comment*
posted by mr_crash_davis at 2:33 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by mr_crash_davis at 2:33 PM on August 2, 2005
This just in!
posted by puke & cry at 2:34 PM on August 2, 2005 [1 favorite]
posted by puke & cry at 2:34 PM on August 2, 2005 [1 favorite]
Minutes after crash...
SPECI CYYZ 022004Z 34024G33KT 1 1/4SM +TSRA S
CT015 OVC045TCU RMK RA2SF2TCU5 CB ASOCTD=
This has Delta Flight 191 written all over it.
posted by rolypolyman at 2:34 PM on August 2, 2005
SPECI CYYZ 022004Z 34024G33KT 1 1/4SM +TSRA S
CT015 OVC045TCU RMK RA2SF2TCU5 CB ASOCTD=
This has Delta Flight 191 written all over it.
posted by rolypolyman at 2:34 PM on August 2, 2005
That is a wind of 28 mph gusting to 38 mph, btw; sorry I didn't decode the weather report (METAR format).
posted by rolypolyman at 2:35 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by rolypolyman at 2:35 PM on August 2, 2005
In other news...
Seven US Marines killed in Iraq, toll passes 1,800
New mouse for Macs has multiple buttons
Lauren Bacall has attacked Tom Cruise as 'shocking, vulgar and sick'
posted by spock at 2:35 PM on August 2, 2005
Seven US Marines killed in Iraq, toll passes 1,800
New mouse for Macs has multiple buttons
Lauren Bacall has attacked Tom Cruise as 'shocking, vulgar and sick'
posted by spock at 2:35 PM on August 2, 2005
Full translation of the METAR: Special update for Toronto Pearson airport, August 2, 20:04 UTC, winds at 340 degrees, 24 knots gusting to 33 knots, visibility 1 1/4 statute miles, heavy thunderstorms and rain, scattered clouds at 1500 feet, overcast with towering cumulus at 4500 feet, and then a bit more info about the different types of clouds in the sky.
posted by blacklite at 2:41 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by blacklite at 2:41 PM on August 2, 2005
Roel Brammar, who was at the back of the plane says he saw lightning and thinks the plane was hit by it.
posted by riffola at 2:48 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by riffola at 2:48 PM on August 2, 2005
I hope they're ok--the WaPo feed had a survivor doing voiceover, so maybe they all got out?
posted by amberglow at 2:49 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by amberglow at 2:49 PM on August 2, 2005
"lightning was causing technical problems with the airport's lightning-detection system"
okay.
posted by lazymonster at 2:50 PM on August 2, 2005
okay.
posted by lazymonster at 2:50 PM on August 2, 2005
At mid-afternoon Tuesday, a spokesperson with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority said lightning was causing technical problems with the airport's lightning-detection system.
I love how news stories can say stuff like that without batting an eye.
posted by knave at 2:51 PM on August 2, 2005
I love how news stories can say stuff like that without batting an eye.
posted by knave at 2:51 PM on August 2, 2005
rolypolyman writes "SPECI CYYZ 022004Z 34024G33KT 1 1/4SM +TSRA S
"CT015 OVC045TCU RMK RA2SF2TCU5 CB ASOCTD="
It's so obvious! :-)
posted by clevershark at 2:59 PM on August 2, 2005
"CT015 OVC045TCU RMK RA2SF2TCU5 CB ASOCTD="
It's so obvious! :-)
posted by clevershark at 2:59 PM on August 2, 2005
Most are expected to have survived, says local news. Only minor injuries.
posted by mkn at 3:04 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by mkn at 3:04 PM on August 2, 2005
Only took the Freepers 73 posts to suggest TERRAH as the motive.
posted by wakko at 3:04 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by wakko at 3:04 PM on August 2, 2005
It's crazy - from my office, you can see the smoke from its point of origin (the fire) all the way across the north of the city. The smoke is basically following the 401 all the way to Scarborough, where it will probably get mugged.
posted by antifuse at 3:19 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by antifuse at 3:19 PM on August 2, 2005
Anyone have a video link to the interview of the pasengers as they step out of the wreckage? No?
It must be TOO DAMN EARLY and still too NEWSFILTERISH to have live interviews.
posted by Balisong at 3:22 PM on August 2, 2005
It must be TOO DAMN EARLY and still too NEWSFILTERISH to have live interviews.
posted by Balisong at 3:22 PM on August 2, 2005
You know, normally I'm estatic whenever CNN acknowledges that Canada exists, but since there appear to be no fatalities isn't CNN's coverage right now a little excessive? Like the asian tsunami didn't get this much coverage when it hit (it was the second story after holiday returns).
posted by bobo123 at 3:29 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by bobo123 at 3:29 PM on August 2, 2005
Incidentally, for google map goodness as to where the crash was, exactly, it's approximately in the centre of this map - old images, as the old terminal still exists on their view of the airport, but still neat to tool around on.
posted by antifuse at 3:31 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by antifuse at 3:31 PM on August 2, 2005
riff, is your family all ok in Mumbai?
Yeah, sorta, it was a terrible nightmare. Details via email.
posted by riffola at 3:35 PM on August 2, 2005
Yeah, sorta, it was a terrible nightmare. Details via email.
posted by riffola at 3:35 PM on August 2, 2005
antifuse : "The smoke is basically following the 401 all the way to Scarborough, where it will probably get mugged."
Heehee ^_^
posted by Bugbread at 3:36 PM on August 2, 2005
Heehee ^_^
posted by Bugbread at 3:36 PM on August 2, 2005
No fatalities in Toronto airplane fire
Dateline CBC
All 309 people aboard a jet that overshot a runway and burst into flames at Pearson International Airport Tuesday survived the ordeal, according to fire officials on the scene.
posted by Dunvegan at 3:39 PM on August 2, 2005
Dateline CBC
All 309 people aboard a jet that overshot a runway and burst into flames at Pearson International Airport Tuesday survived the ordeal, according to fire officials on the scene.
posted by Dunvegan at 3:39 PM on August 2, 2005
isn't CNN's coverage right now a little excessive?
You should hear the CBC radio coverage. Interviews with people who caught a glimpse of the plane from their office window before it landed, but didn't see anything unusual. Expert testimony from someone who helpfully explains that yes, airport runways can get slippery when it rains, just like other kinds of paved surface. Live commentary from people stopped at the side of the 401 to inhale the smoke: "it smells like plastic." And so on for three hours so far I assume, though I've caught only a little of it.
posted by sfenders at 4:01 PM on August 2, 2005
You should hear the CBC radio coverage. Interviews with people who caught a glimpse of the plane from their office window before it landed, but didn't see anything unusual. Expert testimony from someone who helpfully explains that yes, airport runways can get slippery when it rains, just like other kinds of paved surface. Live commentary from people stopped at the side of the 401 to inhale the smoke: "it smells like plastic." And so on for three hours so far I assume, though I've caught only a little of it.
posted by sfenders at 4:01 PM on August 2, 2005
Everybody who bitches about "newsfilter". and "best of the web" and "xyzfilter" and "chodafilter" need to listen to me, and me alone. The substance doesn't always come from the post... it comes from the subsequent postings and links from people in the thread who often times do know or have insight.
I know this is coming way down in the thread and a possible derail... but forgive me, I'm liquored.
godamn.. i'm smart.
posted by hatchetjack at 4:03 PM on August 2, 2005
I know this is coming way down in the thread and a possible derail... but forgive me, I'm liquored.
godamn.. i'm smart.
posted by hatchetjack at 4:03 PM on August 2, 2005
There's still smoke coming up in that traffic camera. You'd think it would be out by now.
posted by smackfu at 4:04 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by smackfu at 4:04 PM on August 2, 2005
Everybody who bitches about "newsfilter". and "best of the web" and "xyzfilter" and "chodafilter" need to listen to me, and me alone. The substance doesn't always come from the post... it comes from the subsequent postings and links from people in the thread who often times do know or have insight.
So can we call it worthless yet?
In other news ...
Lauren Bacall has attacked Tom Cruise as 'shocking, vulgar and sick'
Now that's news!
'When you talk about a great actor, you're not talking about Tom Cruise,' she said.
Asked 'So you don't think Tom Cruise is a great actor?', she confirmed: 'No, I don't.'
ZING!
posted by mrgrimm at 4:15 PM on August 2, 2005
So can we call it worthless yet?
In other news ...
Lauren Bacall has attacked Tom Cruise as 'shocking, vulgar and sick'
Now that's news!
'When you talk about a great actor, you're not talking about Tom Cruise,' she said.
Asked 'So you don't think Tom Cruise is a great actor?', she confirmed: 'No, I don't.'
ZING!
posted by mrgrimm at 4:15 PM on August 2, 2005
Well, it probably isn't worthy of a post, but the MetaFilter coverage has been a lot more balanced than the CBC Radio coverage.
Thanfully you can still get As It Happens by tuning in to CBC Winnipeg :)
posted by Chuckles at 4:42 PM on August 2, 2005
Thanfully you can still get As It Happens by tuning in to CBC Winnipeg :)
posted by Chuckles at 4:42 PM on August 2, 2005
"Everybody who bitches about "newsfilter". and "best of the web" and "xyzfilter" and "chodafilter" need to listen to me, and me alone. The substance doesn't always come from the post... it comes from the subsequent postings and links from people in the thread who often times do know or have insight."
What! I don't believe it! New mouse for Macs has multiple buttons??!!!
Cool.
posted by Smedleyman at 7:03 PM on August 2, 2005
What! I don't believe it! New mouse for Macs has multiple buttons??!!!
Cool.
posted by Smedleyman at 7:03 PM on August 2, 2005
I have a lightning detector outside my home; it is a tall stick. When struck by lightning, it bursts in to flame, thereby detecting that there is lightning in the area. Maybe the airport uses something similar?
posted by nlindstrom at 8:29 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by nlindstrom at 8:29 PM on August 2, 2005
Delta 191 was mentioned above (happened 20 years ago) wind sheer certainly might have similarly played a role here ... but in a different way as my guess is they were concerned about it and landed hot and long, which (along with a wet runaway) probably contributed to the overrun.
BTW, this is the first major accident for an Airbus A340 - good news is they all got out. Boeing 777 still is a virgin ... ;-)
posted by RonZ at 9:17 PM on August 2, 2005
BTW, this is the first major accident for an Airbus A340 - good news is they all got out. Boeing 777 still is a virgin ... ;-)
posted by RonZ at 9:17 PM on August 2, 2005
That flight crew should get a raise.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 11:40 PM on August 2, 2005
posted by KirkJobSluder at 11:40 PM on August 2, 2005
BTW, this is the first major accident for an Airbus A340
Yeah, a shame -- even though I prefer the 777, the A340 is a very good plane, esp. the A340-600. The biggest problem with the early marks of the A340 was that they were slower than the 777s -- a real issue when flying the pacific tracks.
It's still "no hull loss" for the A340, though I suspect they will write this one off.
Thankfully, it's no loss of life. All those saying the safety gear was stupid? There's some 250 people who would like to disagree.
posted by eriko at 12:56 AM on August 3, 2005
Yeah, a shame -- even though I prefer the 777, the A340 is a very good plane, esp. the A340-600. The biggest problem with the early marks of the A340 was that they were slower than the 777s -- a real issue when flying the pacific tracks.
It's still "no hull loss" for the A340, though I suspect they will write this one off.
Thankfully, it's no loss of life. All those saying the safety gear was stupid? There's some 250 people who would like to disagree.
posted by eriko at 12:56 AM on August 3, 2005
Our own J. Ro. has a pleasant comic blog entry about it:
http://wigu.com/overcompensating/2005/08/358.html
posted by zoogleplex at 12:16 PM on August 3, 2005
http://wigu.com/overcompensating/2005/08/358.html
posted by zoogleplex at 12:16 PM on August 3, 2005
Time to update that YYZ video.
The Washington Post did an online discussion with one of the survivors of the plane that crashed in Toronto.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:30 PM on August 3, 2005
The Washington Post did an online discussion with one of the survivors of the plane that crashed in Toronto.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:30 PM on August 3, 2005
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posted by smackfu at 1:50 PM on August 2, 2005