Inquiries to probe military aircraft crash: Italy

Rome, 24 Nov

A public inquiry will investigate Monday's military plane crash at the airport of the central Italian city of Pisa which killed all the five people on board, a media report said.

The Italian airforce has said it will also conduct its own probe into what caused the C130 Hercules transport plane to crash during a training flight.

The plane crashed onto the runway immediately after taking off from Pisa's Galileo Galilei international airport and burst into flames. Some eyewitnesses reported seeing a fire breaking out on the plane before it crashed, the report added Monday.

Eyewitnesses added that the aircraft clipped power cables in windy conditions as it attempted to complete a manoeuvre known as "touch and go". It crashed next to the railway lines.

All the five on board were members of the Italian airforce.

Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa and Senate and Lower House of Parliament's Speakers, Renato Schifani and Gianfranco Fini, were among the politicians who expressed condolences.

The C130 aircraft is the world's most widely used aircraft to transport the troops.

The Tuscany region's Secretary for the Democratic Party, Italy's largest opposition party, Andrea Manciulli, said the crash was both tragic and worrying.

"It's a tragedy that leaves us concerned and saddened," he said expressing sympathy for the victims and their friends.

Last updated on Nov 24^th, 2009 at 06:46 am IST--IANS/AKI

Possibly related news:

Other News Headlines

Senior Al Qaeda man killed in Somalia

Nairobi/Mogadishu, Feb 9

A Somali minister Tuesday said government forces had killed a senior Al Qaeda fighter who was also a member of Somali insurgent group al-Shabaab.

Iran starts 20-percent uranium enrichment process

Tehran/Vienna, Feb 9

Iran Tuesday started the 20-percent uranium enrichment process, the head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization said.

UAE, Poland strengthen economic ties

Abu Dhabi, Feb 9

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Poland have increased bilateral economic cooperation following the visit of a UAE delegation to Poland, WAM news agency reported Tuesday.

Sri Lankan parliament dissolved

Colombo, Feb 9

Parliament in Sri Lanka has been dissolved with effect from midnight Tuesday ahead of new elections, officials said.

Hakimullah Mehsud dead, say Taliban sources

Islamabad, Feb 9

The Pakistani Taliban confirmed Tuesday that its chief Hakimullah Mehsud had died of injuries sustained in drone strike last month, ending weeks of speculation over his fate. Noor Jamal has been named the new acting leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Enter Your Name and Email below and Post your comment
Name	Email:
Comment:

Please login to use this service
Usermame :
Password :
Quick signup \| Forgot Password