Three planes collide on the ground at Baton Rouge Metro Airport Posted: July 21, 2008 07:48 PM EST Updated: July 22, 2008 12:22 PM EST BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - A three-plane ground crash at the Baton Rouge Metro Airport could have become an explosive disaster. It happened at the new regional maintenance hangar for Atlantic Southeast Airlines, or ASA. The total value to the three CRJ commuter jets is $100 million and it looks like the most expensive one is a total loss. The entire incident reportedly took five seconds. A young mechanic pressed a starter switch to slowly spin the compressor blades for cleaning. Instead, her action sent the engine to immediate takeoff power, hurling the fragile aircraft at 90 degree angles. Witnesses say it's a wonder the entire hangar wasn't sent up in flames, not to mention injury or death to the 14 ASA mechanics and cleaning crew members working inside. http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=8711634
