Cargo plane crashes at Japan´s Narita airport

Source: Xinhua | 03-23-2009 08:58

Video: FedEx cargo plane crashes in Tokyo >>

TOKYO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- A Federal Express Corp. cargo plane crashed and burst into flames early Monday at Narita International Airport, east of Tokyo, local Chiba prefectural police said.

A cargo plane burns on the tarmac at Narita international airport in Chiba, Japan March 23, 2009. A Federal Express Corp cargo plane crashed and burst into flames as it landed at Narita international airport on Monday, closing one runway at the busy gateway to Tokyo. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Two crew members aboard were confirmed dead, TV Asahi reported.

The crashed MD-11 plane, a cargo flight from Guangzhou, China, was manned by the pilot and co-pilot.

The cargo plane crash landed on Runway A at about 6:50 a.m. (2150 GMT) when there was strong wind with speed up to 72 km per hour, which whipped the plane back up and made its left wing hit the ground.

The runway is currently closed and it is unknown if passenger flights will be affected, according to the airport office.