The plane was bound for JFK Airport in New York City 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 proper procedures to investigate the problem,” the airline said.
“As a result, the decision was made, with the approval of air traffic, to divert to Liège Airport, Belgium, where it landed safely,” the airline said.
“Our flight crew handled this situation professionally and in accordance with appropriate aviation standards, resulting in a safe and quiet landing,” said Martin Amick, Longtail Aviation Manager in charge. “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 down in Meerssen on the Sint Josephstraat, according to the Safety Region.
Two people were slightly injured. One of them has been taken to a hospital, the safety inspector said. Several cars and houses were also damaged, the safety inspector added.
MAA said in a statement that the plane had “general cargo and medicines on board.”
“A few seconds after the plane took off, air traffic control detected an engine fire and informed the pilots. Then they turned off the affected engine and sent a distress signal,” said MAA.
MAA said the pilot chose to land in Liege because of the longer runway, which gave the plane more room to land safely.
“We understand that people are shocked and regret that this has happened,” said MAA. “Our attention is now mainly focused on those directly involved in this incident.”
The Boeing 747 cargo plane in this incident is registered as VQ-BWT, according to CNN Belgium affiliated HLN-VTM News.
Longtail Aviation is based in St. George’s, Bermuda, and was founded in August 1999, according to its website. Longtail offers worldwide charter services, cargo support, aircraft management and acquisition sales, the website said.
CNN has 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 leftover aircraft to rain in a suburb. The Boeing 777-200 returned safely to Denver International Airport and no one was injured.
Boeing said in a statement to CNN on Saturday evening that the company’s technical advisers are supporting NTSB in the investigation of that flight.