4 die as plane crashes in Al Ain

Four Americans were killed when a Grumman 21T aircraft, en route to Riyadh from Al Ain, crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday night. The names of the victim were not immediately available. According to a statement from UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the aircraft departed from Al Ain International airport for Riyadh in Saudi Arabia at 20:07 local time and shortly after liftoff the aircraft veered to the left and crashed on taxiway and four people died in the accident. An investigation has been launched. The US Embassy released a statement on Monday. "On behalf of the government and people of the United States, the US Mission to the United Arab Emirates extends its deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the crash in Al Ain on Feb. 27. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who perished in last night's tragic event," the statement read. The eight-seater aircraft was destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire, the GCAA statement added. The aircraft is owned by Triple S Aviation, a Texas-based company with a consultancy in Dubai. The Al Ain International Airport is Abu Dhabi’s second international airport that is located 13km northwest of the Al Ain city center.