Polish President

[Dedwrekka]

"I saw through the fog, the aeroplane flying very low with the left wing pointing to the ground," he said.

"I heard something being broken and then that thudding sound. Two flashes of fire next to each other."

From the sounds of it, it seems like pilot error, possibly (from the apparent track record of the aircraft) mechanical error.
I'm no pilot, but from what I understand you level out before making touchdown on the runway.
If they were flying low over what was apparently wooded area (from the looks of the video), then all it would have taken is a scared bird to take out an engine. A flock could take down an aircraft. No problem.
You have a 6 minute gap of communication loss, mechanical error seems likely.

cant understand they put the whole govement top in one plane... not very cleaver...

See: Air Force/Marine One

Also, I wouldn't be asking if this was a civilian liner unless something there was plainly suspicious. But this wasn't a civilian flight, this was a flight of some of the most high-ranking members of the Polish government.

One of the reasons flying cars haven't caught on. As has been mentioned: Shit happens. When it happens in a motorcade, you have a nice chance of walking away. When shit happens several hundred feet off the ground?

....


My heart goes out to the families of the deceased.
I salute the fallen Soldiers.
I mourn for the loss of the nation.

 

[SkelettetS]

Yes, a horrible tragedy.

@SkelettetS: Well on the other hand economically sound, the opposite of having them flying in on private jets.

oh im not saying they all should have private jets, but i think at least have the folkes divided in two different planes would have been appropriate.

 

[Einion]

Plane goes down in USA = accident
Plane goes down in Russia = OMG KGB assassination!1!

These days, if a plane goes down in the US first thought with many people is: terrorism?

Einion

 

[doyme]

From the UK news reports I've been hearing the Russians have been incredibly quick at investigating the crash and there are no complaints from the Polish so I'm betting they're being given full access to all the information. This is very unusual as Russia usually retains lots of secrecy around incidents like this.

I think this shows that it was just a terrible tragedy but it also means there is a huge level of trust being shown by the Polish and Russian officials towards each other. Here's hoping that these actions continue and at least something good comes out of this, which would be a fitting way to remember the people who lost their lives.

 

[Master of fact]

Please dont take offence at my previous post, was in a funny mood and shouldnt have posted what i did.

 

[Dedwrekka]

These days, if a plane goes down in the US first thought with many people is: terrorism?

Einion

Only when we're consantly reminded of it. The first thing out of the newscaster's mouth after announcing the event is wether or not officials think it's terrorism. Fear makes people watch TV more than sex.