WORLD IN BRIEF : SAUDI ARABIA : Flat Tire Led to Plane Crash, Airline Says

Nationair Canada, owner of an aircraft that crashed July 11 in Saudi Arabia, killing all 261 on board, said the accident was apparently caused by a chain of events started by a flat tire. Nationair President Robert Obadia said that the tire, checked the previous night, was probably punctured by debris as the plane taxied at Jidda’s airport. As the plane accelerated for takeoff, friction set the wheel rim ablaze and the fire was carried into the aircraft when the landing gear was retracted.