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Headline: Runway drama as jets collide Source: Manchester Evening News. 5th November 2004.
Excerpts:
Two packed planes collided at Manchester Airport last night forcing the emergency evacuation of more than 300 passengers.
Shocked travellers described how the larger Boeing 767 shook from side to side as its wing ripped off a tail fin from the smaller aircraft.
Last night some passengers claimed the Boeing 767, which was taxiing into position after being delayed at Terminal 1, may have been travelling too quickly before the crash.
Lee Hope, 43, a health care assistant from Burnley who was on board, said: "I thought the plane was going very fast. In fact seconds before the crash I commented to a friend that if we had taken the corner any quicker the wheels would have come off the ground."
The accident happened at 4.40pm at Terminal 1 when the wing of the Excel XLA 340 flight bound for Goa hit the back end of the stationary BMI baby flight WW3007 preparing to fly to Belfast.
The Goa flight, which had been delayed for an hour, had 263 passengers on board with the smaller Belfast flight carrying 74 passengers.
It is understood the Belfast plane was standing still within a parking bay waiting to be given permission to move onto the runway.
Steve Harris, a comedian from Warrington on the Goa flight said: "A few of us thought the plane was taxiing too fast. I have been on a few flights and they've never gone so quickly.
"We had just remarked on it when the plane turned to go onto the runway and the engine started powering up. Then there was a violent crash. The whole plane then shook from right to left then it lurched forward.
"The pilot then slammed on the brakes. We saw the tail fins on the end of the other plane hanging off. People were panicking, but it was over very quickly. Once we realised we had come to a standstill and there was no fire we were all relieved.
"Getting off was tricky because the steps they brought did not quite reach the doors so we had to jump about two foot from the plane onto the top step."
A spokeswoman for Excel said she could not comment on suggestions the plane had been going too fast.
Following the crash the 263 passengers from the 767 Excel plane were taken to a hotel to await a flight to Goa later today .
Full text, 793 words at http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/135/135911_runway_drama_as_jets_collide.html
==================================== Headline: Probe launched into runway collision Source: Manchester Evening News 5 Nov. 2004 at BY: John Scheerhout By John Scheerhout
Excerpts:
The Goa flight, which had been delayed for an hour, had 263 passengers on board with the smaller Belfast flight carrying 74 passengers. It is understood the Belfast plane was stationary in a parking bay waiting for permission to move.
Excel spokeswoman Sue Lister said: "The passengers were put up in hotels overnight and given dinner and drinks.
"We know what happened, but we don't know how. "Our main priority is the passengers. They are fine. They have been great about it and they have been well looked after."
They were due to fly on a replacement aircraft later today.
A spokesman for the Air Accident Investigation Branch of the Department of Transport said a full investigation would be held. Excel said they could not comment on suggestions the plane had been going too fast.
Full text, 501 words at http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/135/135935_probe_launched_into_runway_collision.html
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Coincidentally, in the Manchester Evening News Today:
Headline: Flight to find the sun. By John Scheerhout
Excerpts:
A record 6.5 million passengers will jet out of Manchester Airport this winter as the search for sunshine goes global.
Far-flung destinations like Goa, Cuba and Egypt are now threatening the Canaries as the most popular winter destinations for Mancunians.
Travel agent Thomas Cook, who have compiled a top 15 favourite destinations for people flying out of Manchester this winter, say the Indian coastal destination Goa, once a hippy hangout but now increasingly on the beaten track, is the sixth most popular destination compared with 12th last year.
Geoff Dykes, of the independent Peregrination Travel which has offices in Harpurhey and Hazel Grove, said: "The Canaries will always be top because it's easy to get to and there are lots of flights, but places like Goa and Egypt are giving them a run for their money. There are lots of flights now from Manchester to the Red Sea area. It shows there is a demand."
Full text at: http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/135/135885_flight_to_find_the_sun.html
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The Mirror (UK) 5 Nov. 2004
Headline: Terror as jets clip wings at take off
By Paul Gallagher And Patrick Mulchrone
452 words at http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/tm_objectid=14837164%26method=full%26siteid=50143%26headline=terror%2das%2djets%2dclip%2dwings%2dat%2dtake%2doff-name_page.html
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