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Brazil jet 'too fast on runway' Brazil jet 'too fast on runway'
(9 minutes later)
Video footage of the plane that crashed in Brazil on Tuesday, killing about 200 people, appears to show it moving down the runway at higher than normal speed.Video footage of the plane that crashed in Brazil on Tuesday, killing about 200 people, appears to show it moving down the runway at higher than normal speed.
The Tam Airbus 320 veered off the runway after landing at Congonhas airport in Sao Paulo, and crashed into a building before bursting into flames. The Tam Airbus 320 overshot the runway after landing at Congonhas airport in Sao Paulo, and crashed into a building before bursting into flames.
All 186 people on board died as well as a number of people on the ground.All 186 people on board died as well as a number of people on the ground.
Efforts are continuing to recover the bodies from the crash site, while officials investigate possible causes.Efforts are continuing to recover the bodies from the crash site, while officials investigate possible causes.
The new video footage shows the final moments of the Tam Airlines flight from the southern city of Porto Alegre and another similar plane which had arrived earlier.
It shows the first aircraft apparently taking 11 seconds to travel along the runway, while the plane that crashed covers the same distance in three.
As the Airbus 320 jet touches down at Congonhas airport in a downpour, it appears to slide on the runway.
It disappears out of view and the flash of an explosion can be seen a short time later. Tuesday's crash occurred in wet conditions, on a runway often criticised as being too short.
See where and how the crash unfolded See where and how the crash unfolded
According to Brazil's TV Globo, the Brazilian air force, which oversees the country's air traffic control system, believes the footage shows the plane was travelling at excessive speed. The new video footage shows some of the final moments of the Tam Airlines flight from the southern city of Porto Alegre and another similar plane which had arrived earlier.
It shows the first aircraft apparently taking 11 seconds to travel along the runway, while the plane that crashed covers the same distance in three.
Most of the passengers on board the plane were BrazilianMost of the passengers on board the plane were Brazilian
As the plane careered towards the busy road nearby, one theory is that the pilot tried to take off again. The aircraft crossed the road and ploughed into a Tam Airlines building. As the Airbus 320 jet touches down at Congonhas airport, it appears to continue speeding along the runway without slowing, before disappearing out of view. The flash of an explosion can be seen a short time later.
Most of the passengers and crew on board the flight were Brazilian, including an opposition congressman, Julio Redecker. Marco Antonio Bologna, the chairman of Tam Airlines (Tam Linhas Aereas SA), said that the aircraft, which was only added to the Tam fleet in December and was serviced in June, had been in perfect condition and was flown by experienced pilots.
There were also two French nationals, an Argentine and a Peruvian. 'Visual checks'
The bodies of five victims killed on the ground have already been released from the mortuary, and the funeral of at least one victim is taking place on Thursday.
A mass for the victims was held in Porto Alegre on Wednesday night.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared three days of national mourning for the victims of what is Brazil's worst air disaster.
Blame game
Some 180 bodies have been recovered from the burnt wreckage, says fire chief Nilton Miranda, adding another 20 bodies are expected to be found.
The plane accelerated when it reached the end of the runway and tried to take off again to avoid the road Witness Junior Matos Witnesses describe horror Q&A: Plane crash
Marco Antonio Bologna, the chairman of Tam Airlines (Tam Linhas Aereas SA), said three workers in the Tam building had also been killed and five others were missing.
He also said the aircraft had been in perfect condition and was flown by experienced pilots. The plane, he said, was only added to Tam's fleet in December and had been serviced in June.
In February, amid fears that the airport was too close to residential areas and that its runways were too short, a federal court briefly banned three types of large jet - the Fokker 100, Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-700 - from using the airport.In February, amid fears that the airport was too close to residential areas and that its runways were too short, a federal court briefly banned three types of large jet - the Fokker 100, Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-700 - from using the airport.
AIRBUS A320 Launched: 1988In operation: 1,700Operators include: British Airways; Air France; Air Canada; China Eastern Airlines; Iberia; United Airlines; Jet Blue Airways The decision was overturned, but the runway was ordered to be resurfaced - which happened in June.
The decision was overturned, but the runway was ordered to be resurfaced - which it was in June.
But Brazil's airport authority said work to groove the runway, to help clear rain water, was not scheduled to take place until 28 July, after the concrete had settled.But Brazil's airport authority said work to groove the runway, to help clear rain water, was not scheduled to take place until 28 July, after the concrete had settled.
The plane accelerated when it reached the end of the runway and tried to take off again to avoid the road Witness Junior Matos Witnesses describe horror Q&A: Plane crash
On Wednesday, Armando Schneider Filho, director of engineering for the nation's airport authority Infraero, said it met international safety standards.On Wednesday, Armando Schneider Filho, director of engineering for the nation's airport authority Infraero, said it met international safety standards.
"I can confirm that there was no possibility of skidding on this runway. Twenty minutes before the accident, Infraero performed a visual inspection of the runway and detected no problems. It was wet, but there was no accumulation of water," he told a news conference."I can confirm that there was no possibility of skidding on this runway. Twenty minutes before the accident, Infraero performed a visual inspection of the runway and detected no problems. It was wet, but there was no accumulation of water," he told a news conference.
On Monday, two other, smaller planes skidded off the airport's runway. Opposition politicians have attacked the decision to use the runway before the grooving work was done.On Monday, two other, smaller planes skidded off the airport's runway. Opposition politicians have attacked the decision to use the runway before the grooving work was done.
President Lula has ordered an investigation into whether the runway was opened too early. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has ordered an investigation into whether the runway was opened too early.
Workers missing
According to Brazil's TV Globo, the Brazilian air force, which oversees the country's air traffic control system, believes the new footage shows the plane was travelling at excessive speed.
AIRBUS A320 Launched: 1988In operation: 1,700Operators include: British Airways; Air France; Air Canada; China Eastern Airlines; Iberia; United Airlines; Jet Blue Airways
As the plane careered towards the busy road nearby, one theory is that the pilot tried to take off again. The aircraft crossed the road and ploughed into a Tam Airlines building.
Some 180 bodies have been recovered from the burnt wreckage, says fire chief Nilton Miranda, adding another 20 bodies are expected to be found.
Mr Bologna said three workers in the Tam building had also been killed and five others were missing.
Most of the passengers and crew on board the flight were Brazilian, including an opposition congressman, Julio Redecker.
There were also two French nationals, an Argentine and a Peruvian.
The bodies of five victims killed on the ground have already been released from the mortuary, and the funeral of at least one victim is taking place on Thursday.
A mass for the victims was held in Porto Alegre on Wednesday night.
President Lula declared three days of national mourning for the victims of what is Brazil's worst air disaster.
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