Cargo Hold Fire Forces UPS Plane to Make an Emergency Landing in Philadelphia

Feb. 8, 2006
Emergency crews surrounded the DC-8 from Atlanta when it touched down shortly after midnight. Firefighters said the blaze was under control about four hours later.

A UPS cargo plane, with flames shooting from its cargo hold, made an emergency landing early Wednesday in time for the pilot and two crew members to jump to safety on the tarmac.

The plane was carrying normal customer packages, UPS spokesman Mark Guiffre said. He said the National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the cause of the fire.

Emergency crews surrounded the DC-8 from Atlanta when it touched down shortly after midnight. Firefighters said the blaze was under control about four hours later.

The charred plane and firefighting equipment blocked one of the two main runways when the airport reopened at 6 a.m., and airport spokesman Mark Pesce said some flights were likely to be delayed or canceled.

The pilot and two crew members were examined for smoke inhalation.

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