A Note to Our Readers

Dear Readers,
We make a special effort here to record the facts as we receive them. At times, there may be error but we do try to use our best judgement at the time of posting, and will be glad to amend any details which are proved incorrect. Furthermore, even though we do not here discuss the human cost, we realize that losing anyone in an air accident is insurmountable tragedy to individuals, families and communities. We do extend our heartfelt sympathy to those whose loss we record here. "...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for..." us all.
Meditation XVII - (with apologies to) John Donne


2007/07/19

Prosecutors calling for closure of Sao Paulo airport

Brazilian prosecutors call for the immediate closure of Sao Paulo's airport today after the country's worst air disaster in its history.


Governor Jose Serra declared that the volume of air traffic at Congonhas must to be drastically. A plane belonging to Brazil's TAM airlinehit a nearby warehouse and exploded, killing 186 people on board and three on the ground.


Footage shows Flight 3054 accelerating as it hit the short runway. Authorities believe the pilot tried to abort his landing and take off again.

Rescue workers suspended the search for victims when the building at the crash scene threatened collapse. 4 Europeans, three from France and one from Portugal, were on board.

Pilots are instructed to touch down within the first 1,000ft (300m), or pull up and circle round again. Yesterday, another TAM airline jet was rerouted after coming in at an unsafe angle.

The official statement is that it is necessary to temporarily paralyze the activities at the Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo until a complete renovation of both of its runways can be completed and there is certainty that they are fully secure for full operations.

The senate leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSDB), Arthur Virgilio - whose colleague, the opposition leader Julio Redecker, was killed in the crash - said President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, needed to "act, not to talk...Otherwise his term will be marked by the suffering and pain of so many Brazilians who could still be alive."

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