DHL cargo jet skids off runaway in Costa Rica, splits in half

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica –

DHL’s cargo plane slid off the runway while landing at San Jose International Airport Thursday. The incident closed the airport but did not injure crew members.

The fire department stated that the Boeing 757 had taken off at Juan Santamaria Airport, just west of the capital. However, they decided to return to the scene after discovering a hydraulic failure.

Director of the Costa Rica Fire Department Hector Chaves stated that the aircraft skidded upon landing and then turned and broke in half, exposing its cargo.

“Units mobilized to remove the pilot and co-pilot,”Chaves stated. “Then they applied foam to prevent a spill and now they are working on an earthen dike to avoid any fuel from reaching the drainage system.”

DHL spokesmen said that both pilots were safe, but that one was being examined for possible injuries.

Daniel McGrath, DHL spokesperson, stated that the company was working closely with airport authorities to move and resume flights. He stated that an investigation would be done to determine the cause.

Deutsche Post DHL Group is the subsidiary that owns DHL.

Luis Miranda (deputy director of civil aviation in Costa Rica) stated that the plane had traveled only 35 miles from the airport when it asked permission to turn around from its planned flight from Guatemala City. He said that the pilot and copilot were all aboard the plane which was carrying fuel for only 2 1/2 hours. .

According to the airport administration, the crash would mean that the airport would be closed to all incoming and outgoing flights until 6 p.m. Some flights will be diverted to Daniel Oduber International Airport, Liberia, which is located about 125 miles northwest San Jose.