Ash Connection Probed In U.K. Crash

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Authorities in England are investigating whether volcanic ash had anything to do with the crash of a light plane in Hampshire. Two people died when the aircraft crashed and burned in a field, well away from buildings or other people. Although thousands of airline flights have been cancelled by the ash cloud from a volcano in Iceland, stranding millions of passengers, there are apparently no restrictions on uncontrolled airspace, although the Civil Aviation Authority has warned pilots and owners of light aircraft not to fly. A Hampshire police spokesman said ash will be considered as a possible cause. “It is too early to say whether ash was a factor but it will form part of the investigation,” the unnamed spokesman told news services in the U.K.

Meanwhile, authorities are worried the ash plume will linger over northern Europe for days and that health problems may result from ash settling as dust or being carried by rain to the ground. The stranding of millions of passengers has had a global impact and it’s also changed the travel plans of the world’s most powerful people. Leaders from all over the world, including President Barack Obama, have canceled plans attend the funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, who died in a plane crash last week.

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