Watch: DHL cargo jet splits in two after skidding off runaway in Costa Rica

A DHL cargo jet slid off the runway and broke in half while landing at San Jose’s international airport Thursday, temporarily shutting down the airport, but not injuring the crew.

The fire department said the Boeing 757 had taken off from Juan Santamaria Airport just west of the capital but decided to return after detecting a failure in the hydraulic system.

Hector Chaves, director the Costa Rica Fire Department, said that upon landing the aircraft skidded, turned and broke in two, exposing its cargo.

“Units mobilised to remove the pilot and co-pilot,” Chaves said. “Then they applied foam to prevent a spill and now they are working on an earthen dike to avoid any fuel from reaching the drainage system.”