’51 People Feared Dead’ in Crash of TransAsia Flight 222

A TransAsia Airways plane crashed while landing in the Penghu Islands off the western coast of Taiwan.

Flight 222 was flying from Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second largest city, and reports indicate that the pilot’s first attempt to land failed.  He requested a go-around and air-traffic control then lost contact with the aircraft.

The aircraft reportedly crashed near Magong airport.

Reports on the death toll and number of injuries vary.  The aircraft was an ATR 72-500, reportedly carrying 50 adults and four children.

“Fifty-one people are feared dead and seven people injured,” said Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration Shen Chi to reporters.  A local media report said that the fire chief on the scene put the death toll at 45.

China’s Xinhua news agency reported that 40 people were killed.

TransAsia is a regional airline based in the Taiwan capital Taipei and a Star Alliance member.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)