FedEx Cargo Plane Crashes in Lubbock, Texas

After a FedEx cargo plane crashed at Lubbock, Texas airport, both pilots emerged injured, but alive. CNN reports that the plane, an ATR-42 twin-turboprop aircraft, had been traveling from Fort Worth Alliance Airport and skidded off the runway at 4:37 AM during a haze of light freezing rain. The plane then burst into flames.

The two pilots, a man and a woman, were taken to the University Medical Center with minor injuries. Director of aviation at the airport, James Loomis, told Lubbock Online that he couldn't say what caused the crash. When asked if weather could be a factor, Loomis said that there hadn't been any reports of slick runways and visibility was at least two miles. The runways at the Lubbock airport had been used that morning prior to the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board will hold the damaged aircraft for at least two days to investigate the crash.

View pictures of the crash and video of crash coverage here.

The crash comes less than two weeks after the US Airways plane crash into New York's Hudson River. After testimony was given by the pilot, it was believed that the US Airways crash was caused by the plane hitting a flock of birds after takeoff.

The plane's left engine was dragged from the Hudson River on January 23^rd, after an eight-day search. The 16 feet long and 8 feet wide engine was then taken for investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. According to the Associated Press, the engine didn't appear to be leaking any oil or fuel when it was pulled from the river.

The Associated Press reported on the 25^th that the National Transportation Safety Board investigators found no evidence of organic material (feathers, etc.) during their visual inspection of the left engine. However, they stated that they did find evidence of the engine hitting a soft body, which includes birds.

Before the left engine was recovered, investigators examined the plane's right engine and found evidence of soft body impact, as well as organic material in the engine, on the wings and fuselage. A single feather was also found.

The plane's left and right engine will be shipped to their manufacturer in Cincinnati for a thorough examination by the safety board.

FedEx Plane Crashes in Texas, CNN

A-J Staff, FedEx Crash Injures Two, Causes Delays at Lubbock Airport, LubbockOnline.com

Plane Crash at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, KCBD.com

Adam Pemble, Crews Hoist Plane's Engine From Hudson River, Associated Press

Jet's Left Engine May Have Hit a Soft Body, Associated Press