Cause Unclear In Airbus A320 Crash In Sudan

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Key Takeaways:

  • A Sudan Airways Airbus A310 overran the runway and caught fire upon landing at Khartoum International Airport, resulting in at least 29 fatalities.
  • The cause of the crash is under investigation, with potential factors including severe weather (thunderstorms, sandstorm) or unspecified "technical problems."
  • Experts from Airbus and France's aviation-safety agency are assisting local authorities in the ongoing investigation.
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A Sudan Airways Airbus A310 ran off the runway and burst into flames after landing at Khartoum International Airport in Sudan on Tuesday night. At least 29 people died and 171 escaped, with 14 still unaccounted for, according to The Associated Press. On Wednesday, investigators were on the scene but it was unclear what had caused the crash. Some reports cited thunderstorms, gusty winds and a sandstorm in the area at the time of the landing. One official said the airplane had landed safely when “technical problems” caused an engine to explode. Another report said the jet ran off the runway and hit some navigation-light structures with its right wing, sparking the fire. Experts from Airbus and France’s aviation-safety agency will assist in the investigation. Click here for a Reuters video of the inferno.

The flight originated in Damascus, Syria, and made a stopover in Amman, Jordan, before flying to Khartoum.

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