BRUSSELS - A BOEING 747 cargo plane crashed as it took off at Brussels airport and broke apart, but the five-person crew escaped without injury, airport officials said yesterday

The American-owned jumbo jet came to rest at the end of the runway some 500m from a housing development in the Brussels suburb of Zaventem after the crash on Sunday.

The massive Kalitta Air four-engined jet broke into three pieces and stopped just metres short of electricity power cables.

Local residents, who have long campaigned to have this particular runway shut down, said the crash was predictable.

Belgian television reported that the plane was carrying diplomatic baggage belonging to the American Ambassador to Belgium, including a car and papers.

The plane was bound for the Gulf state of Bahrain, according to airport official Jan Van der Cruysse.

No obvious cause for the crash was immediately apparent and an inquiry has been opened.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE