A Trans Asia Airways aircraft crashed in Magong, Taiwan last night, killing at least 48 people.
Flight GE222 was flying from Kaohsiung to Magong with 54 passengers and four crew onboard.
The 70-seat twin-engine turboprop ART 72-500 was forced to attempt an emergency landing in stormy conditions but crashed in Xixi Village on the Penghu Island of Magong - 3 km from the runway.
GE222 was scheduled to depart Kaohsiung International airport at 1600, but was delayed for around two hours due to Typhoon Matmo. It was scheduled to land at Magong airport at 1850, but failed on the first attempt because of the weather. It then came down at 1930 on the second attempt.
According to ATR, the aircraft was delivered in June 2000. The Aviation Safety Council of Taiwan will lead the investigation.
Trans Asia has been looking to expand its flight network in the past year, but this could now be affected as a result of the crash.
Valerian Ho
