Plane to Russia Burst Into Flames at Ben Gurion Airport

Passengers on a flight scheduled to depart for Russia at 12 noon Wednesday had their plans disrupted when the plane burst into flames shortly before takeoff.

There were only six passengers aboard the small plane, and all escaped without injuries.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze which had prompted the airport ground crew to declare a Level 3 State of Emergency, the highest possible.

Rescue personnel, ambulances, security vehicles and fire trucks all raced to the scene to secure the site and deal with the incident, which is under investigation.