Cargo plane skids off runway, splits in half

San Jose: A cargo airplane operated by DHL made an emergency landing and skidded off the runway, separating its tail, provoking a temporary closure of the international airport in San Jose. 

According to aviation authorities, the cargo aircraft—Boeing 757—broke up during an emergency landing in Costa Rica on Thursday. 

The accident happened just before 10:30 am (1630 GMT) after the plane, which had taken off from the Juan Santamaria international airport outside San Jose, was forced to return 25 minutes later for an emergency landing due to a mechanical failure. 

Apparently, the crew had alerted local authorities to a hydraulic problem.

Smoke was billowing from the bright yellow plane of German logistics giant DHL as it ground to a halt, having slid off the runway when it spun and broke up around the rear wheels.

Reportedly, the crew was unharmed and that one member was undergoing a medical review as a precaution.

The pilot was shaken up but both crew were conscious and "remember everything vividly," added officials.

The airport was closed until 6:00 pm. Some 8,500 passengers and 57 commercial and cargo flights were affected by the closure.