Cargo Jet Crashes In Kyrgyzstan, 37 Dead

January 16, 2017

An ACT Airlines Boeing 747 freighter has crashed into a village in Kyrgyzstan killing at least 37 people.

Four crew members, including two pilots, and at least 33 people on the ground were killed as the 747, operating as MyCargo Airlines under a Turkish Airlines code, crashed on approach to Manas airport.

The aircraft, on a flight from Hong Kong to Istanbul, was about to land at Manas in poor visibility but appeared to overshoot and came down in the village of Dacha-Suu at about 07:30 (7.30am) local time.

The plane ploughed through the village demolishing houses and killing and injuring dozens. Some survivors said they thought they had been struck by an earthquake.

The wreckage was being searched for the flight data recorders as Kyrgyzstan and Turkish officials joined the investigation.

Tuesday has been declared a national day of mourning in Kyrgyzstan.

(Airwise)