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'I Knew We Were Going to Crash'

Survivors tell of aborted landing as investigators probe for clues

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 17, 2007 3:39 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Investigators have begun sifting through the smoldering wreckage of a Thai airliner which broke in two as it landed in a severe rainstorm  on the popular resort island of Phuket. "I saw the grass and knew we were going to crash," recalled one of 42 survivors of the tragedy that claimed 88 lives.

The 'black box' flight recorder, which should hold clues as to what went wrong, has been recovered, reports Reuters. Some eyewitnesses said the pilot tried to abort the landing minutes before the plane slammed into the ground. "The pilot tried to bring the plane back up," said a survivor. "He made a sharp turn and then the plane went into the embankment."

Thai rescue workers work at the scene of the One-Two-Go Airlines plane crash in Phuket ,Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. The passenger plane that crashed on Thailand's resort island of Phuket Sunday killed at least 91 people, including 55 foreigners, an airline official said Monday. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thai rescue workers work at the scene of the One-Two-Go Airlines plane crash in Phuket ,Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. The passenger plane that crashed on Thailand's resort island of Phuket Sunday...   (Associated Press)
A Thai rescue worker works at the scene of the One-Two-Go Airlines plane crash in Phuket ,Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. The passenger plane that crashed on Thailand's resort island of Phuket Sunday killed at least 91 people, including 55 foreigners, an airline official said Monday. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
A Thai rescue worker works at the scene of the One-Two-Go Airlines plane crash in Phuket ,Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. The passenger plane that crashed on Thailand's resort island of Phuket Sunday...   (Associated Press)
Thai rescue workers work at the scene of the One-Two-Go Airlines plane crash in Phuket ,Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. The passenger plane that crashed on Thailand's resort island of Phuket Sunday killed at least 91 people, including 55 foreigners, an airline official said Monday. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thai rescue workers work at the scene of the One-Two-Go Airlines plane crash in Phuket ,Thailand, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. The passenger plane that crashed on Thailand's resort island of Phuket Sunday...   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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Phuket Air Disaster

Eyewitnesses tell of disaster
New York Times

Most of the dead are tourists from across the globe
Bangkok Post (Thailand)

High cost of cheap flights - budget airlines raise safety fears
BBC

Video of crash aftermath
BBC

 
weather • Thailand • crash • rain • Phuket • One Two Go • Orient Thai Airlines • flight recorder • Sansern Wong Chaum

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