x
Breaking News
More () »

Plane breaks into pieces after skidding off runway in Istanbul; 3 dead, 180 hurt

Video of the crash site posted by NTV television showed the plane's fuselage smashed into three pieces.

İSTANBUL, Turkey — A plane has skidded off the runway at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen airport, crashing into a field and breaking into pieces. 

Authorities say three people have died and 180 people were injured in Wednesday's crash landing and were sent to the hospital.

Passengers were seen being evacuated through the cracks in the smashed plane operated by low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines. 

NTV television reported that the plane caught fire after skidding but said it has been extinguished. 

The plane, belonging to low-cost airline Pegagus, arrived from the city of Izmir. 

Engin Demir, who was injured in the crash, told NTV television that he really noticed the speed as the Pegasus Airline flight landed.

Istanbul Gov. Ali Yerlikaya said the Boeing 737 with 183 passengers and crew members on board failed to "hold onto the runway" in bad weather and skidded into the ditch from a height of about 98 feet. Turkish TV channel NTV broadcast a recording of air traffic control telling the pilots that previous flights had reported strong tailwinds.

Before You Leave, Check This Out