Air New Zealand Airbus ditches and disappears

[malaise]

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/11/27/319474/air-new-zealand-a320-crashes-off-france-during-training-flight.html

Seven people were on board an Airbus A320 aircraft, belonging to Air New Zealand, which has ditched off the coast of France during a training flight.

She adds that the jet belonged to Air New Zealand and is lying 20-30m below the surface of the water.

The condition of the seven occupants is unknown, she says. The aircraft came down at about 17:00.

[gristy]

1. Didn't this jet belong to Air New Zealand?

edited to add :P

[malaise]

2. Yep and it's probably brand new

Hope the crew escaped but sadly I don't think they had time. CNN just said the aircraft was spotted in the Mediterranean.

[FarCenter]

3. It is probably not possible to ditch a jet with low wings and under-wing engines

Despite the instructions that the cabin attendant go though pre-flight about where life vests and life rafts are located.

[malaise]

4. But people have survived ditchings so I'll be donning that

life jacket and going for broke. :D

[charlie]

5. 1 body recovered

Or as they oddly put it, "fatally injured."

http://avherald.com/h?article=410c9cec&opt=0

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. BBC radio just said there's a report one body has been found

:(

[malaise]

7. I fear the worst

Question - was this aircraft leased to Air New Zealand?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7753270.stm
<snip>
The plane was last owned by XL Germany and was being returned to an aircraft leasing company.

XL Germany said there were two flight crew from XL Germany and 3-5 engineers on board.

The plane was undergoing maintenance checks at Perpignan airport.

[Bluebear]

8. It was leased to Germany's "XL Airlines", not operating as ANZ