Cargo jet aborts takeoff after tires blow

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- A Northwest Airlines cargo jet aborted its takeoff run early Sunday morning after at least two tires blew out, airline officials say. The three members of the 747 crew were unhurt.

The plane went off the end of the runway at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport about 12:30 a.m. and came to rest in the mud about 300 feet beyond the end of the paving.

That led to the closing of one of the airport's three runways, probably for at least a couple of days.

At least two tires blew on the airplane, according to Northwest spokesman Scott Ingham. Much of the cargo was unloaded from the aircraft and some electronic equipment was shipped to New York on another plane.

The airline was working Sunday to get the tires replaced and tow the plane out of the way of traffic. Until that's done, the runway won't be used.

Northwest is expanding its cargo operation at the Anchorage airport, and the cargo operation recently acquired two more Boeing 747-200 aircraft, boosts its fleet to a dozen.