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Italian military plane crashes off Palm Deira

DUBAI - An Italian military trainer aircraft crashed off Palm Deira Island in Dubai on Friday afternoon.

The Alenia Aermacchi M 346 aircraft was flying to Saudi Arabia on its return to Italy after taking part in the Dubai Airshow when it crashed following a technical glitch. The two pilots of the aircraft ejected themselves from the plane and landed safely using parachutes.

Colonel Omer Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of the Command Room of the Dubai Police, said the plane took off from Dubai International Airport at 12.15pm for Saudi Arabia but its pilot, Captain Giovanni Bingley, lost contact with the Air Control Tower soon. Later, the pilot called police emergency number 999 and said the plane had crashed off Palm Deira Island.

While Captain Bingley had minor injuries, co-pilot Butch Korino suffered a leg fracture. Col Al Shamsi said rescue teams of the Dubai Police and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services rushed to the scene and shifted the pilots to Rashid Hospital.

Three ambulances and one helicopter took part in the rescue operation, sources said, adding that the crashed aircraft is likely to be removed from the site today.

The aircraft had taken part in the aerobatic manoeuvres during the airshow. The UAE authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the crash.

“The causes of the accident are currently being investigated and, in accordance with company procedures, an internal investigation committee has also been set up,” Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi group said in a statement emailed to AFP.

“Alenia Aermacchi representatives are co-operating closely with the local authorities, through the Italian embassy in the United Arab Emirates.”

news@khaleejtimes.com