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US Cargo Jet Crashes in Belgium

Aircraft breaks up on takeoff near homes

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted May 26, 2008 3:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – A US jumbo jet carrying diplomatic cargo from the American embassy in Belgium crashed on take-off from a Brussels airport and broke into three pieces, reports Agence France Presse. The aircraft came to rest just a quarter mile from a residential area. The crew of five, all Americans, were not injured.

"This was very close to a catastrophe," said a spokesman for a local residents' association which has campaigned to close the short runway. "Imagine if it had been an aircraft full of passengers."

The Kalitta Air cargo plane that crashed at the end of the runway in Zaventem near Brussels. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)

A cargo plane split in two at the end of the runway at Brussels Airport. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)

Firefighters stand next to the U.S.-based Kalitta Air cargo plane which crashed at the end of the runway in Zaventem near Brussels. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)

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Aircraft breaks up on takeoff near homes

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CEO of Chip-Maker Micron Killed in Plane Crash

Steve Appleton's experimental aircraft goes down

2011 on Track to Be Airlines' Safest Year Ever

But experts warn that we must keep working on safety

Riskiest Part of Flight Might Now Be on Ground

With skies safe, officials turn their attention to 'surface threats' on runways

Family of 4 Dead After Plane Hits Highway

Another man also was aboard in New Jersey

Russia Now World's Most Dangerous Nation to Fly

Series of deadly crashes blamed on lax regulation

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Aircraft breaks up on takeoff near homes

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

plane crash • Boeing 747 • Kalitta Air

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

CEO of Chip-Maker Micron Killed in Plane Crash

Steve Appleton's experimental aircraft goes down

2011 on Track to Be Airlines' Safest Year Ever

But experts warn that we must keep working on safety

Riskiest Part of Flight Might Now Be on Ground

With skies safe, officials turn their attention to 'surface threats' on runways

Family of 4 Dead After Plane Hits Highway

Another man also was aboard in New Jersey

Russia Now World's Most Dangerous Nation to Fly

Series of deadly crashes blamed on lax regulation

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?