UPDATE: Angolan aircraft crashes, killing 48

Airline Industry Information, Nov 2, 2000

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

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A Russian-built Antonov 26 charter aircraft has crashed in north eastern Angola, killing all 48 people on board.

The aircraft, operated by Angolan travel agency Guicango, exploded in the air shortly after taking off from the town of Saurimo en route for Luanda. It was carrying 42 passengers and six crew members and all are believed to have died. The aircraft is owned by Angolan company Ancargo.

Angola's Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that the crash happened 'in an area which is difficult to reach.' The crash site is in one of Angola's main diamond-mining regions, an area of thick jungle. The region has also been the focus of fighting between the army and Unita rebels who are engaged in a long-running civil war.

The six crew on board the aircraft were reported by Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry to be Ukrainian, however Angola's Civil Aviation Director has stated that the crew were Russian according to The Associated Press. The nationality of the 42 passengers is not yet known.

There is speculation that the aircraft may have been shot down by Unita rebels operating in the area, while other reports note that several crashes in recent years have been blamed on poor aircraft maintenance at Luanda airport.

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