Two dead after cargo plane crashes in Japan
A FedEx cargo plane has crashed into the runway at Tokyo's international airport, killing two crew members.
By Danielle Demetriou in Tokyo
Last Updated: 11:27AM GMT 23 Mar 2009
Link to Video
The plane, from Guangzhou in China, burst into flames after its wing clipped the runway while attempting to crash land at Narita Airport in high winds shortly before 7am local time.
The pilot and co-pilot, believed to be American, were the only two people aboard the three-engine aircraft and were confirmed dead upon arrival at hospital.
"We confirmed the deaths of the two pilots while we are still examining the exact cause of their deaths," said Katsuji Komiyama, an official at Japanese Narita Red Cross Hospital.
Japan's public broadcaster NHK showed dramatic footage of the aircraft appearing to bounce on the runway before tipping sideways at high speed and bursting into a ball of flames.
One of two runways at the airport - a major international hub 35 miles east of central Tokyo – remained closed to air traffic this morning after firefighters spent 30 minutes bringing the fire under control.
The aircraft, which was shown on television upturned on the runway with its Fedex logo clearly visible following the crash, was believed to be an MD-11. The Kyodo news agency reported the plane was a freighter made by McDonnell Douglas, which is part of Boeing Co.
It is the latest incident involving strong winds and turbulence at the airport. Last month, 50 passengers and crew members were injured as severe turbulence hit a flight from the Philippines as it circled before landing.
source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... Japan.html
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