Dozens feared dead in midair crash

Luis G

Luis G

<i><b>Problemator</b></i>
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UEBERLINGEN, Germany (CNN) -- A Russian jetliner and a cargo plane collided over southern Germany late Monday, scattering "burning pieces like fire" over a 20-mile area.

At least 71 people were feared dead.

All but two of those believed killed were aboard the Russian jet, a Tupolev 154 owned by Russia's Bashkirian Airlines. The Russian Emergency Ministry said the Tu-154 was carrying 57 passengers and 12 crew members.
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from what's been reported here the russian plane was carrying school children going on holiday to barcelona, the other plane was a dhl transport.

initial reports have the russian plane appearing to not understand instructions to change altitude, although until the balck box is found this remains unconfirmed.
 
bbc news online reports that the planes were diving to avoid each other. the russian pilot was ordered to drop altitude three time before doing so, and then the automatic collision protection on the dhl plane advised a dive also when it detected the other plane.

luckily there are no injuries or fatalities reported on the group at the small town where the wreckage fell.

bbc more
 
new information coming from swiss air traffic control is that the automatic warning system that is supposd to warn controllers of planes being on a collision course was switched off for maintenance.

bbc more
 
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