Yemenia Airways Flight 626 crashes into Indian Ocean off coast of Comoros.

A Yemenia Airways A310 similar to the one lost in the Indian Ocean today. (Photo by Aleks B. GNU Free Documentation License Ver. 1.2)

For the second time in one month an Airbus airliner crashes into the ocean, although the circumstances of both flights are very different.  Many of you here in the United States woke up this morning (June 30, 2009) to the news that a Yemenia Airways Airbus A310-324 (registration 70-ADJ) crashed into the Indian Ocean as it was attempting to land on the island-nation of Comoros a little after 1:50 AM local time.  153 people were on board the aircraft (11 crew and 142 passengers).  Only a five year-old child has been found alive among the wreckage (weirdly resembling Sunday’s crash in which a five year-old girl was the only survivor).

Not many details regarding the final moments of Flight IY-626 have been released by the airline or authorities, but other information has been made available.  The A310 had departed Sana’a International Airport (SAH; ICAO: ODSN) in Sana’a, Yemen and was headed to Moroni-Prince Said Ibrahim/Hahaya International Airport (HAH; ICAO: FMCH) in Moroni, Comoros via Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB; ICAO: HDAM) in Djibouti, Djibouti.  It departed SAH at 9:30 PM local time.

At sometime between 1:30 AM and 1:50 AM local time in Comoros, the airplane began to do a landing approach to the island, but may have been hampered by high winds.  Judging from preliminary reports (which may be incorrect) and the location of the accident, the aircraft may have been trying to use runway 02 (9,500 ft runway).  Apparently, the A310 was unable to land on its first attempt due to the high winds and went around for a second one.  At that moment, the plane apparently crashed into the Indian Ocean as it was turning back to the airport.

Local and French rescue units (one of the Comoros islands is under French jurisdiction) found the wreckage and they have recovered parts of the plane, as well as some bodies.  The most impressive story to come from the crash so far is that a five year-old child seems to have survived the plane crash and was found alive in the ocean.  The crash site is approximately 8 km north of the coast of Comoro.

While almost a day has passed now since the plane went down, very little additional information is available as this is a developing story.  There was some concern as to the safety and maintenance standards of Yemenia Airways on behalf of the European Union (EU) and French authorities.  While the airline was not banned by the EU, it was subject to greater inspections.  Time will tell if any of this played a part in the accident.

Velozia Air will keep you updated as the story continues to develop.

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