5. The presidential plane hit the treetops and fell apart.
总统的飞机先撞上树梢然后破碎。
还能这样说：
The presidential plane bump against the tip of the tree and broke down.
The presidential plane run into the treetops and fell apart.
应用解析：
a hit at sb. 对某人的讽刺，抨击某人；
hit it 猜中，说对了；
hit it off （同某人）合得来，和睦相处
6. There were a total of 36 people in the crashed plane.
坠毁的飞机上共有36名乘客。
还能这样说：
There were 36 people in total in the crashed plane.
The people in the crashed plane numbered 36 altogether.
应用解析：
total output 总产量；
total strength 总兵力；
a total failure 彻底的失败
7. The accident is a big disaster.
这次事故是一个灾难。
还能这样说：
The accident is a catastrophe.
The accident is a calamity.
应用解析：
disaster指不可预测的意外事件所造成的灾难或不幸；
calamity指巨大而严重的不幸或灾难；
catastrophe指突然造成极严重的灾难，含最终结局无法补偿之意。
8. The cause of the plane crash was apparently an error by the crew during the approach to landing.
飞机失事的原因很明显是机组成员在降落时操作不当。
还能这样说：
The plane crash was clearly caused by the crew's error when the plane landed.
The improper landing by the crew led to the plane crash.
应用解析：
commit an error 出差错，犯错误；
stand in error 弄错了；
by error 错误地