Reuters Hourly News Summary
 Eight Die in Belgian Airshow Crash
     At least eight people died and dozens were injured today when
 a light plane mounting an aerobatics display crashed into a Red
 Cross tent at an air show in the Belgian coastal town of Ostend.
 The pilot, a captain in Jordan's Royal Falcons aerobatics display
 team, was among the dead. Scores of people were badly burnt when
 the plane plunged to the tarmac after the pilot apparently lost
 control during the display, raining debris onto the crowd and spray-
 ing spectators with burning kerosene. Belgian BRTN radio says the
 death toll is likely to rise.
 20:27 07-26-97
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 More on crash....
     Plane crashes during Belgium air show, nine killed
     BRUSSELS, Belgium (July 26, 1997 6:21 p.m. EDT) -- A Jordanian
 plane crashed during an acrobatic maneuver at an air show Saturday,
 killing at least nine people as it showered horrified onlookers with
 flame and debris.
     The single-seat plane crashed and erupted in flames next to a
 first aid post and bleachers packed with spectators, said Interior
 Minister Johan Vande Lanotte.
     About 40 people were injured, 10 of them critically, said Vande
 Lanotte, who was at the scene near the Belgian coastal resort of
 Ostend.
     Several children were among the casualties, many suffering
 serious burns. Panic-stricken spectators attempted to flee the site,
 delaying the arrival of ambulances.
     The pilot, a member of a Jordanian air force team, was perform-
 ing a solo routine when he apparently lost control of the craft
 about five minutes into his flight.
     Witnesses said the plan hurtled toward the ground. The pilot
 appeared to be pulling out of a nose dive, but was too late.
     "It was clear the pilot lost control of his plane while he was
 maneuvering," Vande Lanotte told RTBF television. "If he'd crashed
 50 yards further he would have missed the onlookers."
     Some witnesses said a sudden gust of wind appeared to blow the
 plane sideways during the maneuver. The air show was conducted amid
 blustery, rainy conditions in the North Sea resort.
     Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abadnah, head of the Royal Jordanian Air
 Force, said the pilot was (an) air force captain. Jordanian tele-
 vision identified him as Capt. Omar Hani Bilal.
    "I am very sad. He was a very qualified pilot. In fact, he was
 one of the best in the world," Abadnah said.
     Belgian authorities launched an investigation into the cause of
 the crash.
     Army helicopters ferried the most seriously wounded to a special
 burns unit at a military hospital in Brussels, some 60 miles east of
 Ostend.
     Paul Breyne, governor of West Flanders province, said many of
 the dead were burned beyond recognition.
     "Identification will be extremely difficult," Breyne said after
 viewing the bodies.
     Over 100 planes were scheduled to take part in the prestigious
 show at Ostend's cargo airport. The second day of the air show
 Sunday was canceled.
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