MN Pilot Survives Fiery Plane Crash in China

A Minnesota pilot is one of four survivors of a fiery plane crash in China. The U.S. Embassy in China says three other Americans died.
The pilot, Bill Johnson, Sr., is from Excelsior and is recovering in a Shanghai hospital while he waits for his family to travel from the Metro to see him.
The Zimbabwe cargo plane crashed during takeoff at Shanghai. It was on its way to Kyrgyzstan Saturday when it veered off the runway and burst into flames.

The aircraft's tail struck the ground on takeoff, China Central Television reported. Footage showed black smoke billowing from the wreckage.
Shanghai television showed what it called a 61-year-old American co-pilot in a hospital bed, conscious and saying "Thank you" to staff and officials.
Bill Johnson and his wife have a large family in the area and are active members at the Church of St. Therese of Deephaven.

Many parishioners were praying for Johnson and his family Saturday night. And many were sharing their thoughts and prayers through Facebook.
Johnson’s son, Bill Johnson, Jr., writes on his Facebook page that he and his family plan to arrive in China on Sunday. Many of his friends and family sent best wishes. Fox 9 News spoke with one of Johnson, Sr.’s neighbors who says he is a skilled pilot. Family tell us Johnson, Sr., was co-pilot of this flight.

Johnson’s employers gave few details on its website. The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to investigate.
The crash at Shanghai Pudong International Airport occurred just after 8 a.m. (0000 GMT), the official Xinhua News Agency said. The plane was headed to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan.

The aircraft was operated by Zimbabwe-based Avient Aviation. An Avient Harare official said the flight was operated out the United Kingdom and could not say what cargo was on board. The official was not authorized to speak to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity.

State media said the plane was an MD-11.

More than 30 international flights from the Shanghai airport were delayed Saturday morning, leaving about 4,000 travelers stranded on planes or in airport lounges, Xinhua said. CCTV said two runways at the airport were shut down.