The FINANCIAL — According to RIA Novosti, a palm tree at Egypt's Cairo international airport has saved hundreds of passengers on board an Ethiopian Airlines' flight from certain death, the Al-Ahram weekly paper said on December 17.
The Boeing 747 had just landed when the plane's brake system failed, and the jet sped on, heading directly for oil tankers at a nearby refueling aerodrome. However, doom was averted by a huge palm tree which halted the plane's progress some 30 meters (98 feet) from the tankers.
Firefighters and ambulances hurried to the airport, but no injuries were reported.
Correction:
"The B747 in question with the logo of Southern Air Inc is a cargo aircraft operating on behalf of Ethiopian Airlines under the wet lease agreement with
Southern Air Inc. It was not a passenger aircraft.
The freighter aircraft operating on Sunday December 16, 2007 from Addis Ababa to Brussels with perishable cargo had a stop over in Cairo International Airport for refueling. The aircraft after landing safely slid against the terminal building office while taxiing in.
All the five crew onboard the freighter aircraft were safe.
Cause of the accident is under investigation".
Leul T.Medhin
A/Manager PR & Publications
Ethiopian Airlines Headquarters, Bole International Airport
Tel: (251-011) 661 51 10 / 517 8909 Fax: (251-011) 661 1474
LeulT@ethiopianairlines.com www.ethiopianairlines.com
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