China Airlines 737 Catches Fire On Okinawa

Courtney Mills

Contributor

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A China Airlines Boeing 737 was billowed in flames on the runway as it came in for a landing on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa Monday, August 20.

A single jet engine of the plane caught fire and exploded, and promptly engulfed the left wing of the airplane, according to reports. Passengers were able to exit the plane with dispatch and there were fortunately no fatalities. Some of the passengers were taken to area hospitals for further treatment.

Reports indicated that one ground crew assistant had been injured in the conflagration, but that none of the passengers were injured.

The Taiwanese authorities were sending a team to Okinawa to undertake the investigation of the blaze. Aiding the Japanese and Taiwanese aviation authorities would be officials from the National Transportation and Safety Board.