Cargo plane crashes in US state of Alabama

A UPS cargo plane crashed today in Birmingham in Alabama but there was no immediate word on casualties, officials said.
The Airbus A300 plane was traveling from Louisville in Kentucky and crashed while approaching Birmingham airport, about half a mile north of the runway, said Kathleen Bergen, an official with the Federal Aviation Administration.
She said she had no information yet on injuries. US media said it was not clear how many people were aboard.
Video on a news website called al.Com showed flames at the crash site in a green grassy area and columns of gray smoke rising.
Many fire trucks were on the scene.

UPS issued a brief statement saying it would provide details as they become available, but gave no word either on how many people were on the plane.
There were no immediate reports of casualties on the ground.
"As we work through this difficult situation, we ask for your patience, and that you keep those involved in your thoughts and prayers," the UPS statement said.