7 Killed, 15 Hurt as Plane Flips, Burns in Detroit

A twin-engine commuter plane caught fire today after landing at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing at least seven people aboard and injuring 15, including some on the ground, authorities said.

WXYZ-TV and WWJ radio reported that the plane’s wing hit the pavement as it taxied in and the plane flipped and began burning.

The accident occurred at 2:44 p.m. aboard Airlink Flight 2268 from Mansfield, Ohio, and Cleveland, said Redmond Tyler, a spokesman for Northwest Airlines. Airlink operates commuter flights on Northwest routes.

Authorities confirmed seven deaths.

Ficano said he believed the plane carried 12 to 18 people.

At least five of the injured were taken to Westland Medical Center. Four or five were sent to Annapolis Hospital in Wayne and four or five more to Heritage Hospital in Taylor.