9 Killed As Plane Crashes At Air Show -- Single-Seat Craft Erupts In Flames; Pilot Lost Control

BRUSSELS, Belgium - A Jordanian plane crashed during an acrobatic maneuver at an air show yesterday, killing at least nine people as it showered horrified onlookers with flame and debris.

The single-seat plane crashed and erupted in flames next to a first-aid post and bleachers packed with spectators, said Interior Minister Johan Vande Lanotte.

About 40 people were injured, 10 of them critically, said Vande Lanotte, who was at the scene near the Belgian coastal resort of Ostend.

Several children were among the casualties, many suffering serious burns. Panic-stricken spectators attempted to flee the site, delaying the arrival of ambulances.

The pilot, a member of the Royal Jordanian Falcons, the country's aerobatics team, was performing a solo routine when he apparently lost control of the craft about five minutes into his flight.

Witnesses said the plane hurtled toward the ground. The pilot appeared to be pulling out of a nose dive, but was too late.

"It was clear the pilot lost control of his plane while he was maneuvering," Vande Lanotte told RTBF television. "If he'd crashed 50 yards further he would have missed the onlookers."

Some witnesses said a sudden gust of wind appeared to blow the plane sideways during the maneuver. The air show was conducted amid blustery, rainy conditions in the North Sea resort.

Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abadnah, head of the Royal Jordanian Air Force, said the pilot was an air force captain. Jordanian television identified him as Capt. Omar Hani Bilal.

"I am very sad. He was a very qualified pilot. In fact, he was one of the best in the world," Abadnah said.

Belgian authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

Army helicopters ferried the most seriously wounded to a special burn unit at a military hospital in Brussels, 60 miles east of Ostend.

More than 100 planes were scheduled to take part in the prestigious show at Ostend's cargo airport. The second day of the air show was canceled.

Eyewitness Patrick Beugnies said the crash happened just after a display by seven aircraft had ended.

"I was standing on a chair and saw one small plane make strange movements about 100 meters away. It crashed; there was a sea of flames and thick black smoke," he said.

"My father, who was standing next to me, saw the white canvas (of the first-aid tent) fly up and then there were flames . . . nothing was left of the plane."

There are half a dozen air shows in Belgium every summer, attracting thousands of spectators from around Europe.

Asked on Belgian radio whether safety rules had been obeyed, Vande Lanotte said, "For as far we can see now, yes." Information from Reuters is included in this report.