Chanhassen pilot injured in cargo plane crash in China

Bill Johnson, 61, was in serious condition with lung injuries after a plane caught fire taking off in Shanghai.

By PAT DOYLE, Star Tribune

Last update: November 29, 2009 - 9:36 PM

A pilot from Chanhassen was being treated Sunday in China for serious injuries after his cargo plane crashed on takeoff in Shanghai.

Bill Johnson, 61, suffered lung injuries from inhaling smoke after the crash, said Heather Johnson, his daughter-in-law.

"It was pretty much engulfed in flames," she said.

Three Americans were killed, and three crew members from Indonesia, Belgium and Zimbabwe also were injured, according to the English-language Shanghai Daily.

The plane was bound for Kyrgyzstan when it crashed about 8 a.m. Saturday at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport. It reportedly caught fire shortly after lifting off the runway. Heather Johnson said she understood it hit a concrete barrier at the end of the runway.

The plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, was operated by Avient Aviation, based in Zimbabwe. It acquired the aircraft eight days before the crash, according to Airfleets.net, which tracks such transactions.

Avient is registered and fully trained to move most categories of dangerous goods, according to its website.

Heather Johnson said she didn't know what kind of cargo her father-in-law was transporting. He was frequently away from home to make long cargo flights, she said.

"He's been flying forever," she said. "It's in his blood. He loved his job."

He flew for the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Her husband, Bill Johnson Jr., and his mother and sister were en route Sunday to Shanghai.

The family has had a difficult time communicating with the hospital, and was relying on information from the U.S. Embassy and Avient, she said.

Pat Doyle • 651-222-1210

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