Two pilots on board a UPS cargo jumbo jet were killed when the aircraft crashed and erupted into flames a half-mile from the airport in Birmingham, Ala. early Wednesday morning.
The plane departed from Louisville, Ky. and was on final approach to Birmingham International Airport at 6:10 a.m. when it went down, according to authorities. A UPS spokesman confirmed to MyFoxAL.com that the plane was a UPS A-300 Airbus, tail number N155UP.
The National Transportation Safety Board launched an immediate investigation into the crash, announcing that they would send a full "Go Team" of investigators to Birmingham.
Debris was still smoldering and the nose of the plane was detached from the body after the aircraft crashed before dawn, announced Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen.
"The plane is in several sections," said Birmingham Mayor William Bell, who was briefed on the situation by the city's fire chief. "There were two to three small explosions, but we think that was related to the aviation fuel."
The crash landing took place in an isolated field outside the airport's perimeter fence and a white plume of smoke was seen rising from the site. Teams of emergency crews responded to the crash.
UPS spokesman Jeff Wafford said only that the plane was carrying a variety of cargo, but failed to elaborate. Further details about the type of cargo the plane was carrying have not been revealed at this time.
"This incident is very unfortunate, and our thoughts and prayers are with those involved," said UPS Airlines President Mitch Nichols, reports ABC News.
"We place the utmost value on the safety of our employees, our customers and the public. We will immediately engage with the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation, and we will work exhaustively on response efforts," Nichols added.