Two pilots killed in cargo plane crash in Dubai

DUBAI - Two pilots were killed Friday when a Boeing 747 cargo plane crashed on a road just two minutes after it took off from Dubai airport, police said.

The plane which took off for Cologne in Germany came down in a ball of fire at about 8 p.m. near the Nad Al Sheba military camp close to the Global Village, just 20 km from the airport, according to Khaleej Times.

Both pilots died and their bodies have been recovered, police sources said.

Eyewitnesses said the jumbo jet streaking flames roared over the Emirates Road setting some cars on fire, but there is no report of injuries on the ground.

Col. Omer Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of Operations Room of the Dubai Police, said the cargo plane belonged to UPS, a US cargo company.

“This incident is very unfortunate and we will do everything we can to find the cause,” said Lekites of UPS. “Our thoughts go out to the crew members involved in the incident and their families.”

According to sources, both pilots were Americans and the cargo plane was carrying electronics items and toys.

The “GO” team of the US National Transportation Safety Board, also known as Tin Kickers, is expected to arrive soon in Dubai to ascertain the cause of the crash.

Deputy Director of the Dubai Civil Defence, Col. Ahmed Al Sayegh, said the rescue team is yet to find the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder of the plane.