Loose crocodile caused plane crash

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A passenger plane crashed in the Democratic Republic of Congo in August when a crocodile escaped from a smuggler's bag, causing a panic, the lone survivor says.

The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday the Czech-made Let L-410 Turbolet was on a flight from Kinshasa to Bandundu on Aug. 25 when the reptile got out of the sports bag where it had been secreted.

"The terrified air hostess hurried towards the cockpit, followed by the passengers," the investigation report stated. The stampede caused the plane to be sent off-balance "despite the desperate efforts of the pilot", the report said.

The aircraft plunged into a house near the Bandundu airport where it was heading. Twenty people on board died.

The British newspaper said the crocodile survived the impact but was killed by someone with a machete.