The plane was headed for New York’s JFK airport and was a Boeing 747-400 freighter, according to Longtail Aviation, the charter airline that owns the plane.
The plane’s crew noticed an engine problem shortly after takeoff, Longtail Aviation said in a statement to CNN. The crew “followed the correct procedures to investigate the problem,” said the airline.
“As a result, the decision was taken, with the approval of air traffic, to divert to Liege Airport in Belgium, where it landed safely,” said the airline.
“Our crew handled this situation professionally and according to the correct aviation standards, resulting in a safe and uneventful landing,” said Martin Amick, responsible manager for Longtail Aviation. “We are now working closely with the Dutch, Belgian, Bermuda and UK authorities to understand the cause of this incident.”
As a result of these engine problems, however, metal parts fell in Meerssen, in the Sint Josephstraat area, said Veiligheidsregio (safety inspector).
Two people were slightly injured. One was taken to a hospital, said the security inspector. Several cars and houses were also damaged, added the security inspector.
The MAA said in a statement that the plane carried “general cargo and pharmaceuticals on board”.
“A few seconds after the plane took off, air traffic control noticed a fire in the engine and informed the pilots. They then shut down the engine in question and sent an emergency signal,” said the MAA.
The MAA said the pilot chose to land in Liège due to its longer runway, which gave the plane more space to land safely.
“We understand that people are shocked and regret that this has happened,” said MAA. “Our attention now focuses mainly on the people directly involved in this incident.”
The Boeing 747 cargo plane in this incident is registered as VQ-BWT, according to CNN Belgium affiliate HLN-VTM Nieuws.
Longtail Aviation is headquartered in St. George’s, Bermuda, and was formed in August 1999, according to its website. Longtail offers charter services worldwide, cargo support, aircraft management and acquisition sales, the website said.
CNN contacted Boeing for comment.
A United Airlines flight was forced to return to Denver International Airport after it suffered an engine failure shortly after takeoff, causing aircraft wreckage to fall into a suburb. The Boeing 777-200 returned safely to Denver International Airport and no one was injured.
Boeing said in a statement to CNN late on Saturday that the company’s technical advisers are supporting the NTSB in its investigation into the flight.
CNN’s Radina Gigova contributed to this report.