A plane has crashed at San Francisco International Airport. According to reports coming from the ground, the plane, “literally broke apart.” The plane was carrying 291 passengers, in addition to 16 crew members bring the total on board to 307.
Two people have been confirmed as dead while scores more lie injured and wounded in San Francisco hospitals tonight. Both of the deceased have been confirmed as Chinese nationals and both are 16-year-old girls according Dan Ashley of ABC7.
#BREAKING: The two teenage girls who were killed in the #SFO plane crash were part of a 35-member group headed to summer camp in L.A.
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsBayArea) July 7, 2013
Here’s what you need to know…
1. The Accident Occurred When the Plane’s Tail Ripped Off
This is the route we believe was being made by the flight.
The plane was an Asiana Boeing 777 coming from Seoul. It crashed as it came in for landing when the plane’s tail seemed to completely come off, reports KTVU.
Flight 214 was due to land in San Francisco at 11:30 a.m. local time, the plane’s landing gear was out as the plane was coming in, suddenly the back of the plane ripped off.
There has never been a fatality involving a Boeing 777, and Asiana Airlines was awarded a five star safety rating this year.
The final interaction between the pilots and the tower, with the pilots calling for an emergency, can be heard here:
Anthony Castorani, who witnessed the crash in its entirety told CNN:
You heard a pop and you immediately saw a large, brief fireball that came from underneath the aircraft, It began to cartwheel.
The incident has been confirmed as a crash by Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Lynn Lunsford, who was speaking to the Associated Press.
Reuters photo from above the plane crash at #SFO. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/rgPzktv8VZ
— Matt Johnson (@MattCBS8) July 7, 2013
Elliot Stone, a passenger on board the flight, told CNN about the moments before the crash:
…right when it appeared to coast for the landing, all of a sudden the engine was off, like you sped up, like the pilot knew he was short. And then the back end just hit and flies up in the air and everybody’s head goes up to the ceiling.
#BREAKING Witness to SFO plane crash tells me tail section of plane detached upon landing…aircraft flipped over and caught fire.
— Alex Savidge (@AlexSavidge) July 6, 2013
2. According to Reports Two People Have Been Killed
#SFFD source says right now 2 fatalities #planecrash #SFO still not officially confirmed
— Mike Mibach KTVU (@mibachktvu) July 6, 2013
The two fatalities have been confirmed by the San Francisco Fire Department. They are both Chinese nationals, Wang Linjia and Yang Mengyuan.
#BREAKING: 1 person unaccounted for in #SFOcrash. 307 souls on plane — 181 to hospitals, 123 at the airport, 2 dead, 1 unaccounted for.
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsBayArea) July 7, 2013
Passengers being brought down slides indicates many survived the accident. According to a passenger, who was on the plane, “Most everyone seems fine. I’m ok. Surreal.”
#SFO Update: 303 SOB. All 303 accounted for. SFFD 3rd Alarm + RED Alert SMCFD 3rd Alarm USCG O/S Asiana Flight 214 from Seoul
— SoCal Fire and EMS (@SoCalEMSFire) July 6, 2013
According to LA Times reporter Andrew Blankstein, 48 people are being treated for injuries related to the crash. That number has risen to 70 according to ABC7 reporter Dan Ashley.
CNN are reporting that San Francisco hospital are treating eight adults and two children, all of whom are critical.
I just crash landed at SFO. Tail ripped off. Most everyone seems fine. I'm ok. Surreal… (at @flySFO) [pic] — https://t.co/E6Ur1XEfa4
— David Eun (@Eunner) July 6, 2013
According to ABC’s Joo Heecho the nationalities of the passengers was 141 Chinese, 77 South Koreans and 61 US citizens.
NOW: San Francisco General Hospital says injured have: *Burns *Fractures *Internal injuries *Some went to operating room, others ICU
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) July 6, 2013
RT @kristaseiden: People being evacuated via the emergency slides at the plane #crash at #SFO pic.twitter.com/DRlcPmmXQf
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) July 6, 2013
3. The Horror Was Watched by People Waiting to Board Flights
Omg a plane just crashed at SFO on landing as I’m boarding my plane pic.twitter.com/hsVEcVZ2VS
— Krista Seiden (@kristaseiden) July 6, 2013
People waiting to board planes at San Francisco International have spoken of their horror at watching the plane come down.
Se acaba de estrellar un B777 de Asiana en San Francisco (SFO) :((. (foto de @danblar) pic.twitter.com/yOC1uFxzDm
— Jorge Guardia (@JorgeGuardia95) July 6, 2013
Passengers from #Asiana214 under police guard at at SFO. @flySFO @abc7newsBayArea pic.twitter.com/3m9r1V7uDu
— Katie Marzullo (@KatieABC7) July 6, 2013
Ben@bootstraplabs sitting next to /opened exit door wz broken ribs to help ppl get out. waiting for CT pic.twitter.com/DXz0xYCJrn
— Ben Levy (@BenLevy74) July 6, 2013
4. San Francisco International Airport Was Shut Down
BREAKING: Large plane down at San Francisco Int'l Airport: pic.twitter.com/gumeWNiiVe – @MadeByTim
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) July 6, 2013
The FAA has confirmed that all flights to and from San Francisco International were canceled, though two runways are expected to open at the airport shortly. Major delays are expected all across the west coast due to the crash, Oakland Airport is being used for diverted San Francisco flights.
#BREAKING Witness to SFO plane crash tells me tail section of plane detached upon landing…aircraft flipped over and caught fire.
— Alex Savidge (@AlexSavidge) July 6, 2013
PHOTO: "Huge crash on SFO." pic.twitter.com/Fh72F6d990 – via @DoreCalifornia
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) July 6, 2013
NTSB is gathering information about a plane crash on the runway of San Francisco International Airport. More information will come soon.
— NTSB (@NTSB) July 6, 2013
Per @CHP_GoldenGate, all access to SFO is closed (due to plane crash). They recommend avoiding 101 and using 280 instead.
— Palo Alto Police (@PaloAltoPolice) July 6, 2013
5. A Massive Fire and Rescue Operation Took Place
Passing San Francisco Airport (SFO) on Highway 101. A plane is on fire near the runway, and there's a huge cloud of smoke. #SFOfire
— Kristan Korns (@KristanKorns) July 6, 2013
The smoke from the crash was seen from miles around. Emergency responders were on scene from San Francisco, Redwood City and San Mateo. After putting a layer of foam on the burning plane, they then extinguished the blaze entirely.
The FBI are now on scene, as the San Francisco Fire Department have turned their investigation over to them. According to the NTSB website:
In cases of suspected criminal activity, other agencies may participate in the investigation. The Safety Board does not investigate criminal activity; in the past, once it has been established that a transportation tragedy is, in fact, a criminal act, the FBI becomes the lead federal investigative body, with the NTSB providing any requested support.