Dubai FedEx plane crashes in Iraq

Bangladesh News.Net
Friday 14th November, 2008

Seven people are dead after a Dubai-based plane contracted by FedEx crashed near Falluja in Iraq.

The plane carrying FedEx cargo crashed shortly after take-off. Both the U.S. military and FedEx say the plane was not brought down by hostile fire.

Falcon Aviation, which has its hub in Dubai is contracted by FedEx to transport cargo across the Gulf countries. It uses aircraft owned and operated by British Gulf International which has its hub in Dubai's neighboring emirate Sharjah.

The plane crashed shortly after takeoff, said US military spokesman Captain Charles Calio said the crashed plane was a Ukrainian-built AN-12. It had taken off from an air base close to Falluja.

Calio confirmed that no U.S. soldiers or citizens had been among the seven and crew on board, 6 of whom worked for British Gulf while the seventh was employed by Falcon Aviation.

AFP reported Iraqi police Major Hussein al-Dulaimy, in western Iraq's Anbar province, saying the aircraft burst into flames when it hit the ground.

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