40 Killed in Crash of Soviet-Built Plane

At least 40 people aboard a Soviet-built Antonov 24 airplane were killed when it slammed into a field and exploded shortly after takeoff from the international airport in Luanda, Angola’s capital. It was the second Antonov to crash in the southwest African country in less than three weeks. The plane was on a domestic flight to Namibe, about 420 miles south of Luanda. An Antonov 26 crashed Oct. 31, prompting an order grounding all Antonov aircraft. It was not clear whether the plane that crashed Wednesday was licensed to fly.