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'No Hope' for Air France Plane

Lightning strike feared

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 1, 2009 8:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – There is "no hope" for the 228 people onboard the Air France plane that disappeared en route to Paris from Rio de Janeiro this morning, says an Air France official. An automatic message sent at 2:14am GMT reported a short circuit, which authorities believe means it was struck by lightning, the Guardian reports. “We are probably facing an air catastrophe,” said Air France’s CEO.

Brazilian and French planes are combing the Atlantic for the missing aircraft, but it was far from land when it disappeared, making the search even more it difficult. A French transportation minister ruled out hijacking and noted that the plane would be out of fuel by now: “Nothing on Spanish radar, nothing on Moroccan radar, nothing on French radar—we seriously have to fear the worst.”

A woman looking for information about the missing Air France flight 447 is surrounded by Brazilian journalists in Rio de Janeiro, June 01, 2009.
A woman looking for information about the missing Air France flight 447 is surrounded by Brazilian journalists in Rio de Janeiro, June 01, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Ricardo Moraes)
Undated file photo made available by Airbus, showing an Airbus A330-200 jetliner from the French company Air France.
Undated file photo made available by Airbus, showing an Airbus A330-200 jetliner from the French company Air France.   (AP Photo/Airbus)
Map shows the approximate last known location of missing Air France plane
Map shows the approximate last known location of missing Air France plane
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
AClotfelter
Jun 1, 2009 2:36 AM CDT
I hear ya, nuts
Robert_Dada
Jun 1, 2009 2:33 AM CDT
Another air tragedy. My condolences to the victims and loved ones.
Timinator2K
Jun 1, 2009 1:30 AM CDT
God Bless and comfort the families. Flying is still a dangerous proposition.

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