Investigations into cause of Brazil aircrash begin

Emergency services continue the clear-up at Sao Paulo’s Congohas Airport after 179 people are officially listed as killed in the country’s worst air disaster. The government has come under attack for recklessly reopening the airport on June 29th after the runway had only just finished being relaid.

However the engineering director of the nation’s airports authority, Infraero, released footage of the landing, showing the ill-fated TAM airbus landing at high speed. It appeared the pilot tried to take off again before the crash. The government was quick to close ranks round President Lula da Silva. Walfrido Mares Guia, Minister for Institutional Relations said: “It’s not the president’s fault, or anyone else’s, if the accident was a result of human failing.”

The resurfaced runway had not been grooved to drain rainwater and increase traction. That work was due to be completed at the end of the month.

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