Two crew members killed in UPS jet crash in Alabama

Two crew members aboard a UPS cargo jet were killed when it crashed outside Birmingham, Ala., early Wednesday morning, the city’s mayor told reporters.

No other injuries were immediately reported.

UPS Flight 1354 had taken off from Louisville, Ky., and crashed at 5 a.m. on approach to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, half a mile north of runway 18, federal officials said. (See the flight path here.)

Photos of the crash showed the plane’s fuselage ripped apart, with packages scattered over a field.

The National Transportation Safety Board was en route to investigate the crash.

“This incident is very unfortunate, and our thoughts and prayers are with those involved,” UPS Airlines President Mitch Nichols said in a statement.

“We place the utmost value on the safety of our employees, our customers and the public,” Nichols said. “We will immediately engage with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation, and we will work exhaustively on response efforts.”

Airport Hills resident Chris Evans, 60, told al.com that he heard the crash.

“At first I thought it was thunder,” Evans said. “The power went off and I looked out the window and saw nothing but fire.”

Birmingham Mayor William Bell told al.com that the crew members’ bodies were still in the cockpit of the plane. They have not yet been identified.

UPS officials said tracking numbers for affected packages will show “Transportation Accident Occurred” as the exception code on ups.com.

The NTSB will tweet updates and photos at twitter.com/ntsb.

ALSO:

Half of eligible immigrants sign up for deferred deportation program

New York mayoral candidates spar in debate as Weiner sinks in polls

Robert Bales’ lawyers want prosecutors ousted in Afghan massacre case

Follow L.A. Times National on Twitter