Aviation

Charted plane by the French Army smashes into the sea off the Ivory Coast after taking off in the thunderstorm

According to the daily mail and Reuters reports. At least four people died when a 42-year-old Soviet-built cargo aircraft crashed into the ocean moments after leaving Abidjan, capital city of the Ivory Coast.

The aircraft, which was carrying cargo for the French military broke up after crashing onto the beach.

Several members of the crew survived according to reports on local media. The airport management company confirmed that six of the crew were injured with two of them in a serious condition.

The Soviet-built Antonov AN-26 crashed moments after taking off from the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan while carrying cargo for the French military killing at least four people

Thousands of people made their way to the crash site to watch the rescue operation

Firefighters and rescue divers removed two bodies from the plane, which had broken into several pieces and come to rest near the beach. Two other bodies were visible in the wreckage.

Ivorian officials confirmed there are four French citizens among the injured

Investigators believe the Antonov An-26 crashed into the ocean while trying to take off in a thunderstorm from the runway at the international airport in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Another witness saw two injured survivors.

The crash occurred during a storm with heavy rain and lightning and rescuers were hampered by rough seas. Though Abidjan’s airport is located in a heavily populated area, it did not appear there were any victims on the ground.

The name of the company operating the aircraft was not immediately known.

The airport in Abidjan, a city of around 5 million people, is a busy regional transportation hub. It is also used by the French military which operates a logistics base there in support of an anti-Islamist militant operation in West Africa’s Sahel region.

Courtesy : daily mail and Reuters

Aviation

Boeing, Antonov to Collaborate on Defense Projects

– MOU represents Boeing’s commitment to work with Ukrainian industry

– Includes exploring opportunities for collaborating on in-country support of Unmanned Aerial Systems

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Boeing and Antonov Company to investigate potential collaboration on defense-related projects.

“We’re happy to keep collaborating with the Antonov Company to help Ukraine’s economic development and expansion,” stated Ted Colbert, CEO and president of Boeing Defence, Space, & Security.

Airbus and the Antonov An-225: The Best Partnership:Click here

“This agreement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to find more opportunities to work with Ukrainian industry, which was underscored by our signing of the Ukrainian Defence Industry Compact earlier this year.”

The areas of potential collaboration identified in the agreement consist of training, logistical support and overhaul services for tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which includes the ScanEagle. In addition, the companies will also explore opportunities for Antonov to provide engineering support to Boeing.

The six largest cargo aircraft ever built in the aviation industry:Click here

“A strong, innovative, and efficient defense industry is key to sustainable economic development and national security, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with Boeing,” said Ievhen Gavrylov, CEO of Antonov Company.

This agreement brings a whole new level of opportunity to implement the latest and most effective solutions – in addition to the possibility of future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry.”