Dramatic escape as fire engulfs Taiwanese plane

TOKYO: A Taiwanese airliner burst into fire yesterday moments after landing in southern Japan but all 165 passengers and crew made a dramatic escape from the engulfing flames.

Giant flames and plumes of black smoke erupted from the China Airlines jet just eight minutes after it had landed from Taipei at Naha airport on Okinawa island.

"When we looked out the window, everything was covered with fire," an unidentified male passenger told reporters.

"It was just a few minutes after we got off that the fire swallowed the aircraft and we heard a blast."

Firefighters sprayed hoses full of foam on the Boeing 737-800, which turned into little more than a charred skeleton that had collapsed into pieces by the time the blaze was put out an hour later.

Officials said three people were taken to hospital - a 57-year-old man and seven-year-old girl who felt sick after the escape and a firefighter who suffered heat stroke. Air traffic controllers noticed fumes after the plane landed following the flight of one hour and 20 minutes, and advised evacuation, Japanese officials said.

It was later found that an oil leak had caused an engine fire, according to China Airlines. "When the fire broke out there was a huge bang and passengers were still in the midst of evacuating," Toshimasa Yamamoto, a witness at the airport, said.

Japan, Monday, AFP.