NARITA, Chiba Pref. — A FedEx cargo jet crashed on landing and burst into flames Monday morning at Narita International Airport, killing the pilot and copilot and closing the main runway.
Transport ministry and other investigators believe the accident may have been caused by strong northwesterly winds buffeting the MD-11 as it attempted to land at around 6:50 a.m.
Winds of up to 72 kph were blowing in the airport's vicinity at the time and a wind-shear alert had been issued.