16542: (Chamberlain): Haiti-Plane Crash (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   By MICHAEL NORTON

   CAP-HAITIEN, April 25 (AP) -- Ash and charred fragments were all that
remained Monday of a passenger plane that crashed and exploded the day
before, killing all 21 people aboard.
   The twin-engine turboprop Let L-410 sent distress signals minutes after
takeoff on a domestic flight Sunday, trying to return to Cap-Haitien
airport, officials said.
   Witnesses said they saw smoke billowing from the stricken plane and then
watched as the rear door opened and baggage tumble from the sky.
   Seconds later, they said, the Tropical Airways flight slammed into a
sugarcane field and exploded.
   Officials said that there were 19 passengers and two crew members
aboard.
   Tropical Airways d'Haiti spokesman Alinx Albert Obas said most victims
were Haitians. The plane was en route to Port-de-Paix.
   He also said that the aircraft's pilot was experienced, but gave no
details. No bad weather was reported in the area although skies were
overcast.
   The city's police chief, Charles Shely, said "investigators have not yet
found the black box that might hold the key to the accident."
   Four government investigators arrived at the scene Monday, but Shely
said two experts still were expected.
   Meanwhile the airline continued to operate its several daily flights to
major Haitian cities and to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands with
other Czech-made L-410s.
   Haiti's National Office of Civil Aviation promised to increase
oversight, but said there was no need to cancel flights.
   "We are increasing surveillance of local flights and reinforcing
security," said the director, Jean-Lemaire Pierre.
   According to U.S. Federal Aviation Administration ratings, Haiti's
aviation authority does not ensure that local airlines meet international
standards, so they are barred from flying to the United States.