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Kenya Airways Flight Crashes in Cameroon

Dropped off the radar shortly after takeoff; 114 aboard

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted May 5, 2007 7:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – A Kenya Airways plane with 114 aboard has disappeared and is believed to have crashed in southern Cameroon. The Kenyan Standard reports that the plane sent out an automated distress signal five minutes after takeoff, and villagers near the suspected crash site say they heard an explosion.

But a search of the mountainous region has thus far failed to turn up wreckage. The plane, a Boeing 737, was only six months old, and the airline's safety record is considered one of Africa's best in spite of a well-publicized crash in 2000 that killed 167. Officials don't yet know what happened. "It simply disappeared from the radar," says Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni.

This image provided by Boeing Aircraft shows a 737-800 in Kenya Airways colors. A Kenya Airways 737-800 crashed in southern Cameroon on Saturday May 5, 2007, state radio reported. The Kenya Airways 737-800 was carrying 106 passengers, eight crew members and a flight engineer, Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni said.
This image provided by Boeing Aircraft shows a 737-800 in Kenya Airways colors. A Kenya Airways 737-800 crashed in southern Cameroon on Saturday May 5, 2007, state radio reported. The Kenya Airways 737-800...   (Associated Press)
Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni gives a press conference in Nairobi, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Kenya Airways has lost contact with a commercial airliner carrying more than 100 passengers that took off from Cameroon early Saturday, the airline said.   The last message was received in Douala after takeoff and thereafter...
Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni gives a press conference in Nairobi, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Kenya Airways has lost contact with a commercial airliner carrying more than 100 passengers that took off from...   (Associated Press)
Kenya Airways press conference.
Kenya Airways press conference.   (Associated Press)
Relatives wait after hearing the news of the missing Kenya airways plane at Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Kenya Airways has lost contact with a commercial airliner carrying more than 100 passengers that took off from Cameroon early Saturday, the airline said.   The last message...
Relatives wait after hearing the news of the missing Kenya airways plane at Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Kenya Airways has lost contact with a commercial airliner carrying...   (Associated Press)
Relatives wait after hearing the news of the missing Kenya airways plane at Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Kenya Airways has lost contact with a commercial airliner carrying more than 100 passengers that took off from Cameroon early Saturday, the airline said.   The last message...
Relatives wait after hearing the news of the missing Kenya airways plane at Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Kenya Airways has lost contact with a commercial airliner carrying...   (Associated Press)
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