DATE=04/15/2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-288725

TITLE=SOUTH KOREA/PLANE CRASH UPDATE (L)

BYLINE=AMY BICKERS

DATELINE=TOKYO

CONTENT=

///EDS: UPDATES CR 2-288719 WITH NEW THROUGHOUT///

VOICED AT:

INTRO: South Korean officials say that at least 49 people survived the deadly crash of an Air China Boeing 767 that went down near the South Korean city of Pusan on Monday. As Amy Bickers reports from our Northeast Asia Bureau, the flight, which originated in Beijing, had 166 people on board.

TEXT: Survivors of the crash of China Airlines Flight CA-129 are being treated at several hospitals near the South Korean port city of Pusan. Some were said to be in critical condition when they arrived for medical treatment.

/// SURVIVOR ACT IN KOREAN, FADE ///

One survivor said that she was feeling sick (from the turbulence) before the crash. When it took place, she did not know what had happened.

Air China's office in Seoul says that most of the passengers were South Korean. There were also Chinese on board.

The Chinese government says Air China president, Wang Kaiyuan, and Chinese aviation officials are going to South Korea to help in the investigation.

South Korean officials say that thick smoke and poor weather at the crash site are hampering rescue efforts. They also say that one of the plane's black box fight recorders has been located. Investigators are also at the scene.

The Air China flight from Beijing to Pusan, on the south coast of the Korean Peninsula, was on approach to Kimhae airport shortly before noon Monday when it crashed in the mountains close to a residential complex.

South Korean officials say that at the time of the crash weather conditions were poor, with fog, winds and rain. However, the reasons for the crash are not yet known.

The crash comes just weeks ahead of the opening of the World Cup soccer finals on May 31st. Pusan is one of 10 South Korean cities hosting the tournament. The number of regional flights to South Korea has been increased to handle tens of thousands of visitors who will be attending the games.

Air China, China's flag carrier, says this is its first fatal accident. (SIGNED)

NEB/AB/MAR/FC