BREAKING: crash in Taiwan kills 51

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BREAKING from AP: According to the Taiwanese news agency, a TransAsia ATR crashed in an emergency landing, killing 51 people, injuring 7.

More to follow...

[Passenger]

a failed (emergency) landing of a ATR-72 indeed. 54 passengers.

http://www.cna.com.tw/ (ask your browser to translate)

[Passenger]

Flight was TransAsia scheduled flight GE-222 from Kaohsiung (KHH) to Makung (MZG)

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TransAsia Airways is a Taiwan-based airline with a fleet of 23 mostly Airbus aircraft, flying chiefly on domestic routes, but with some flights to Japan, Thailand and Cambodia among its Asian destinations.

There were a total of 54 passengers and four crew on board. Fifty-one people were feared dead and seven were injured.

Local firefighters say the plane did not reach the airport landing strip, but crashed nearby, losing contact with flight radars for a few moments before the crash.

[Passenger]

First report on Aviation Herald:

A Transasia ATR-72 (flight GE-222 Kaohsiung-Makung) was on approach to Makung in strong gusting winds descending through about 300 feet AGL about 1000 meters short of the runway when the aircraft made ground contact and burst into flames.
...
Taiwan's DGCA reported the ATR-72 was near the village of Xixi in the Husi Township, when the aircraft lost height at 19:06L (11:06Z).

http://avherald.com/h?article=477bcc95&opt=0

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The final tally is 48 dead (including two French women) and 10 survivors.

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ATR statement on TransAsia’s flight GE222

ATR regrets to confirm that an ATR 72-500 operated by Taiwan’s TransAsia Airways was involved in an accident today at around 7.30 pm (local time) at Magong (Taiwan). The flight GE222 was operating between Kaohsiung and Magong with 58 people on board, including crewmembers.

The aircraft, registered under B-22810, was MSN (Manufacturing Serial Number) 642, initially delivered to the airline from the production line in June 2000.

At this time, the circumstances of the accident are still under investigation.

The Aviation Safety Council of Taiwan will lead the investigation and will be the official source of information. According to international regulations, ATR will advise the French Bureau d’Enquêtes et Analyses (BEA), safety investigation authority representing the State of the aircraft manufacturer.

The ATR 72-500 is a 68-to 74-seat twin turboprop engine aircraft.

ATR express its deepest sympathy to the families, friends and to those affected by the accident.

Wednesday 23 July 2014