Plane crashes on takeoff at Malta airport, five aboard killed

Valletta, Malta: A light plane crashed Monday after takeoff from Malta International Airport en route to Libya, killing all five crew members on board, airport authorities said.[caption id="attachment_3069104" align="alignleft" width="380"] Smoke billows as a light plane crashed after takeoff from Malta airport, in Valletta. AP[/caption]The twin-prop Fairchild Metroliner tipped to the right and slammed into the ground soon after lifting off at 7.20 am (0520 GMT), bursting into flames, eyewitnesses said.Part of the burning wreckage ended up on a road outside the perimeter of the airport.The airplane was on its way to Misrata, Libya.Malta International Airport was temporarily closed until the debris is cleared, with over a dozen flights delayed or canceled, according to a notice on the airport website.