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Crocodile blamed for plane crash

Twenty passengers died when the DRC plane crashed in August. The sole survivor blamed a loose crocdile.

Oct 21st 2010, 9:02 PM 398 Views 0 Comments

File photo data 20 August, 2010, of a crocodile.

Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images

THE ONLY PERSON TO HAVE survived a deadly plane crash in the Democratic Republic of Congo has blamed a crocodile for the accident.

The plane was en route to Bandundu from the capital Kinshasa on 25 August when the crash occurred.

The Telegraph reports that a crocodile escaped from a passenger’s bag, causing passengers and flight crew on board to flee to the cockpit.

The rush forced the plane off-kilter, and despite the efforts of the pilot, the plane crashed. Allegedly a passenger had secretly stashed the reptile in their luggage with the intention of selling it later.

The crocodile also survived the crash, but was subsequently killed with a machete.

The DRC has one of the worst air safety records in the world, according to VOA News. All of its registered planes and airlines are banned from flying in EU airspace, including Filair which was involved in the August accident.

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Crocodile blamed for plane crash