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The plane was bound for New York’s JFK Airport and was a Boeing 747-400, according to Longtail Aviation, the charter airline that owns the plane.
The plane’s crew noticed an engine problem shortly after take-off, Longtail Aviation said in a statement to CNN. The crew “followed the correct procedures to investigate the problem,” the airline said.
“As a result, the decision was taken, with the approval of air traffic, to divert to the airport in Liege, Belgium, where it landed safely,” the airline said.
“Our flight crew handled this situation professionally and in accordance with appropriate aviation standards, resulting in a safe and trouble-free landing,” said Martin Amick, responsible director of Longtail Aviation. “We are currently working closely with authorities in the Netherlands, Belgium, Bermuda and the United Kingdom to understand the cause of this incident.”
Due to these engine problems, however, metal parts fell in Meerssen in the Sint Josephstraat area, said the Veiligheidsregio (safety inspector).
Two people were slightly injured. One of them was taken to hospital, the security inspector said. Several cars and houses were also damaged, the security inspector added.
MAA said in a statement that the plane was carrying “general cargo and pharmaceuticals on board.”
“A few seconds after the plane took off, air traffic control noticed an engine fire and informed the pilots. They then shut down the affected engine and sent an emergency signal,” MAA said.
MAA said the pilot chose to land in Liege because of its longer runway, which gave the plane more space to land safely.
“We understand that people are shocked and regret that this has happened,” MAA said. “Our attention is now focused primarily on those directly involved in this incident.”
The Boeing 747 cargo plane in this incident is registered as VQ-BWT, according to CNN Belgium affiliate HLN-VTM Nieuws.
Longtail Aviation is based in St. George’s, Bermuda, and was established in August 1999, according to its website. Longtail offers worldwide charter services, cargo assistance, aircraft management and acquisition sales, the website says.
CNN has reached out to Boeing for comment.
A United Airlines flight was forced to return to Denver International Airport after suffering an engine failure shortly after take-off, sending wreckage from a raining plane over a suburb. The Boeing 777-200 returned safely to Denver International Airport and no one was injured.
Boeing said in a statement to CNN on Saturday night that the company’s technical advisers were supporting the NTSB in its investigation into the flight.
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