Over 200 people have died in a plane crash at Congonhas airport in São Paulo, Brazil. The plane was on a flight from the southern city of Porto Alegre.
In the worst aviation accident in Brazilian history, a Tam Airlines Airbus 320 plane has crashed at Congonhas airport in the heart of São Paulo. Congonhas airport is the busiest airport in Latin America and, with space being at premium in São Paulo, is known for its short runways, which very likely played a part in this crash.
The crash occurred while the plane was coming in for a landing on a slippery runway. Under normal conditions it should take 11 seconds for a plane to reach the end of the runway, but on this occasion the Tam airplane reached the runway's end after just 3 seconds.
After speeding off the runway, the plane crossed a busy road and, after apparently trying unsuccessfully to take off again, crashed into a Tam Airlines building.
Tam Airways ticket prices are known for being the cheapest in Brazil. The old saying "You get what you pay for" might be remembered by all future Tam ticket buyers but will provide scant comfort to the relatives of those killed in this week's crash.
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