ZCZC
BFF-40
PLANE-ACCIDENT
Pilot of crashed plane reported ‘difficulties’, asked to return: Ethiopian
Airlines
ADDIS ABABA, March 10, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The pilot of a Nairobi-bound Boeing
737 that crashed six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa on Sunday, had
alerted controllers “he had difficulties” and wanted to turn back the plane
carrying 157 people, the head of Ethiopian Airlines said.
The pilot “was given clearance” to return to Addis, chief executive officer
Tewolde GebreMariam told journalists in the Ethiopian capital when asked
whether there had been a distress call.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1853 hrs