On August 20, 2008, Spanair Flight jk5022 skidded off a runway at an airport in Madrid, Spain, and crashed. Witnesses claim the plane's left engine caught fire during takeoff, and some reports say there was an explosion on board just before the crash.Sky News: Spanish Air Disaster: Few Survive (August 20, 2008) CNN.com: Reports: Madrid plane crash kills dozens (August 20, 2008)
More than 170 passengers and crew were on board the Spanair flight when the disaster struck. Reports said the death toll was 153; 19 people were injured.AFP: At least 45 dead in Madrid jet crash (August 20, 2008) Guardian Unlimited: Scores feared dead in Madrid plane crash