Germany has grounded its Airbus A400M military transport aircraft after a similar plane crashed in Spain during a test flight on Saturday

Military Airbus A400M Airplane Crashes Outside Seville Airport In Spain - killing up to 10 - RAW VIDEO

Military Plane A400 Crashes Near Seville Airport Spain. Seville airport closed after military transport plane crashes near Coca-Cola factory

The plane crashed shortly after take-off at San Pablo Airport on Saturday
Seville airport has been closed after a military transport plane on a test flight crashed shortly after take-off.

The aircraft hit the ground near a Coca-Cola factory in the Spanish city, aviation websites reported.

Pictures showed a column of black smoke rising into the air after the accident at around 1pm local time (noon BST).
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy confirmed the crash, saying the government "sympathises with the victims and their families and offers our regret," El Pais reported.

Spain's defence ministry could not confirm whether there were any fatalities.
Spanish media sources are reporting a military Airbus A400M has crashed in a field near Seville Airport.

Pictures and video on Twitter have shown thick black smoke billowing into the sky and fire crews maintaining the crash site. The number of passengers onboard is not yet known, although Sky News reports there may have been up to 10 people.

The Spanish Prime Minister has said all crew members have died.
Military plane crashes in Spain, killing up to 10

Germany grounds Airbus A400M after Spain crash

PUBLISHED ON MAY 10, 2015 2:35 AM

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A view shows the wreckage of an Airbus A400M military transport plane after it crashed near Sevilla on May 9, 2015. Germany has grounded its Airbus A400M military transport aircraft after a similar plane crashed in Spain during a test flight on Saturday, the defence ministry said. -- PHOTO: AFP

 

BERLIN (REUTERS) - Germany has grounded its Airbus A400M military transport aircraft after a similar plane crashed in Spain during a test flight on Saturday, the defence ministry said.

The move echoes a decision taken by Britain's Royal Air Force after the crash, in which four people died.

"The (Air Force) chief of staff has suspended operations until further notice," a German defence spokesman said.

There was no immediate word from France, Malaysia and Turkey, which also operate the aircraft.

Germany took delivery of its first and so far only A400M, with a delay of four years, shortly before the end of 2014.

The country has ordered 53 in total, but intends to sell 13 so that its armed forces will ultimately keep only 40.

Airbus said in April Germany would receive another two to four planes this year after new schedule delays.

It plans to deliver 14-18 A400Ms in total this year.

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