Adscape Press International - New Zealand Midlakes Airline plane crash

Reprinted with permission of Adscape Press International

NewsFlash:11:38 AM 7-19-97 - New Zealand

New Zealand Air Transit authorities have begun investigating the crash of New Zealand Midlakes Airline flight 225 last night in a pasture after an emergency landing attempt five miles short of Connors Air Field. While details are sketchy, authorities are focusing on a failure of the right engine which caught fire during the planes approach. Reports indicate that there were no warning signs or distress signals from members of the cockpit until the planes' right wing was engulfed in flames. After fighting to regain control of the plane the pilot tried to touch down on a small paved utility road but the plane exploded on impact and skidded off of the road and came to a stop in an adjoining cattle pasture.

Although search efforts are continuing, it is presumed that all 125 people on board (117 passengers and an eight person flight crew) were killed on impact. The flight originated in Chicago, Illinois in the United States and made a stopover in London, England before heading to New Zealand. The crew was based in London and was making their first flight of the day. The NZAT has not yet been able to locate the Cockpit Voice Recorder

While identities of the crash victims is being withheld pending notification of their families, a large press contingent has descended upon the crash site. While unconfirmed, there is growing speculation that one of those killed in the crash may have been Nina Fabioli, celebrated Italian model and actress. Ms. Fabioli was rumored to be traveling to New Zealand for a magazine photoshoot. Fabioli, winner of a 1995 Silver Star award as best film actress is considered as one of the world top fashion models and has been featured on nearly all major fashion magazine covers. In March of this year, Fabioli signed an exclusive five year with Adscape Consulting (a part of the Adscape Internet Publishing family) that made her the highest paid model/entertainer in Italy. A spokesman for the Fabiloli family has refused any comment on the possibility she was involved in the crash.

The NZAT has scheduled a press conference for 4:30 PM, local time to discuss the crash and any preliminary findings.

- API