Cypriot plane crashed - pilot was unconcious

[dZeus]

Details vage about the cause, radio contact had been broken and thus the plane was escorted by F16s before it crashed. Appearantly a F16 pilot had seen the pilot (or co-pilot) of the passenger plane hanging over his controls in a otherwise empty cockpit.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/14/greece.crash/index.html

[schmosef]

From Debka.com

No sign of survivors yet from Cypriot Helios Boeing 737 that crashed north of Athens with 115 passengers and 6 crew moments after it lost contact with Athens control tower. Earlier the plane signaled trouble.

August 14, 2005, 3:18 PM (GMT+02:00)
Police suspect sudden air conditioning failure incapacitated the two pilots witnessed slumped by the F-16 pilots scrambled to observe plane. They saw no sign of life in cockpit or passenger cabin. The wreckage is spread over a broad area.

Terrorism and hijacking have not been ruled out. Most passengers were children on their way from Larnaca to Prague. A text message from a passenger said it was very cold and the pilot had turned blue. DEBKAfile: Until the cause of the crash is determined, Middle East and Mediterranean airports have gone on high terror alert for possible air hijacks. The Greek prime minister has interrupted his holiday to return to Athens.

It's a tragedy.

[Brian Ellis]

This appears to be kept at a low profile here, at the moment. I hope none of my friends were on board.

[Brian Ellis]

The latest Cyprus News Agency communiqué dated 5 minutes ago reads:

Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus President
CNA - Nicosia-Cyprus - 14/8/2005 16:27
1630:CYPPRESS:07

Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus President

Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos expressed shock and deep sorrow at the death of many people in today's air crash of an Helios Airlines aircraft, near Athens.

Under-secretary to the President Christodoulos Pashardis read a statement on behalf of President Papadopoulos at Larnaca airport after a lengthy emergency meeting.

The statement reads as follows:

''On behalf of the government, interpreting the feelings of the people of Cyprus, I would like to express to the relatives of the victims of the tragedy my deepest condolences.

At this very difficult time, I want to assure them that they will have our full solidarity.''

An Helios Airways Boeing 737, carrying 115 passengers and six crew, crashed near Athens at around noon today. Its final destination was Prague. No names have been released and no information about the cause of the crash.

A spokesman for the airline said all options are being investigated.

[Brian Ellis]

Shit!

I've just heard, the village supermarket owner, his wife and family are among the vicitms.

We did all our day-to-day shopping there because he always had good fruit and veggies. He and his wife were both modest, a little shy but good people with humanity.

I'll miss you, Sotiris, and your family. RIP

[Fluff]

That is scary. At that altitude do people just pass out due to lack of oxygen and the extreme cold?

[mmp121]

I believe the altitude and its much reduced oxygen content causes people to pass out. I am sure the extreme cold didn't help much either. But with out enough oxygen, people will pass out very quickly. If I remember correctly if you don't have a mask on at Everest, you pass out in a few minutes (3-4).