An Airbus A320 airliner owned by Air New Zealand crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near Perpignan, killing at least two of a crew of seven, French officials reported on Thursday.
The aircraft crashed at about 5 p.m. local time (1600 UTC) during a test flight. The twin-engine jet airliner had just undergone maintenance at Perpignan in preparation for its return to Air New Zealand by German airline XL Airways, which had been operating it on lease.
The seven on board included two XL Airways crew, one inspector, and four Air New Zealand personnel. No additional passengers were on board for the flight, which was part of a maintenance test procedure. All seven crew are feared dead, and at least two bodies have been recovered.
Search and rescue efforts will continue at the site where the remains of the fuselage were located, say officials.
The cause of the crash is not yet clear. The pilots may have attempted an emergency landing on water. Manufacturer Airbus, based in Toulouse, will aid French authorities in investigating the incident, Airbus spokespersons stated.
Reported by WIKINEWS
# "Airbus A320 Incident in France". Air New Zealand, November 27, 2008
# Nicolas Fichot "One dead, six missing in Airbus crash in France". Reuters, November 27, 2008
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