Aviation News

2014-07-24
 

DEVELOPING: Air Algerie Flight 5017 Crashes In The Desert of Mali

More articles by »
Written by: Ben Granucci
Tags: , , , , ,

Contact has been lost with an Air Algerie flight between Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (OUA) and Algiers, Algeria (ALG). Flight 5017 was an MD-83 that was being flown by Spanish carrier Swiftair on behalf of the Algerian airline. The aircraft had 110 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane approximately 50 minutes into the flight. The aircraft involved is widely reported to be EC-LTV. The MD-83 was delivered in August of 1996 to Heliopolis Airlines.

Update: 7/24 12:30 GMT Government officials have indicated that the Air Algerie flight deviated eastward towards Niger. There were strong, 40,000+ foot high thunderstorms along the planned route of flight at the time it was operating. Thunderstorms in Northwest Africa typically move from east to west at this time of year, eventually moving offshore and potentially forming tropical weather. There is no indication at this time that weather played any role in the disappearance of this flight.

Update: 7/25 10:00 GMT France’s President, François Hollande, has announced in a statement that the wreckage of Air Algerie Flight 5017 has been located. The wreckage was located in the area of Gossi, just off the planned route of flight, near the Mali-Burkina Faso border. There were no survivors. French troops have been dispatched to secure the crash site, which is in a relatively unstable area. Hollande has stated that one of the MD-83’s black boxes has already been recovered.

DEVELOPING…



About the Author

Ben Granucci
Ben Granucci, Senior Editor, is an aviation enthusiast and plane spotter based in New York City. Growing up in Connecticut, he has had his eyes toward the sky for as long as he can remember. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter.



 
 

 

Fact Time: Wednesday’s Ameristar MD-83 Overrun in Detroit

A chartered Ameristar MD-83 carrying the Michigan men's basketball team overran the runway at Willow Run Airport yesterday. Here are the current facts regarding the accident.
by Phil Derner Jr.
2

 
 

Adult Onset Flight Anxiety – No One Is Immune

Imagine being a seasoned flier with hundreds of flights under your belt and then suddenly finding yourself onboard and terrified. It can, and does, happen.
by Anson Harris
2

 

 

The Rush To Save A Vintage C-53

In a small town 30 minutes outside of Canton, Ohio sits a vintage C-53. If one airline pilot can't raise the money to save it soon, it will meet the scrapper.
by Jay Haapala
2

 
 

OPINION: The Risks of Reducing The FAA’s Control Of Our Aviation Infrastructure

As a new presidential administration prepares to take over, questions loom regarding the future of how the FAA will control the nation's aviation infrastructure.
by David J. Williams
0

 
 

Emirates Arrives at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport

Dubai-based Emirates Airline added their 11th destination in the US on Thursday with the opening of the Dubai-Fort Lauderdale route.
by Mark Lawrence
2