LSRPictures - Executive Jet

LAS VEGAS - Eight people are safe Wednesday after walking away uninjured from the fiery crash landing of their small business jet.

Witnesses said a fireball erupted when the jet landed at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday was expected to begin an investigation of the incident.

The plane landed on its belly and skidded to a stop as emergency vehicles converged toward it. The eight on board stepped out unhurt, said McCarran spokesman John Hanks. The airport was shut down briefly during the emergency landing, but limited service resumed shortly after the plane touched down.

The flight originated in Cherry Hills, New Jersey, according to The Associated Press. Two pilots, a company president, his wife and their four children were aboard, Hanks said, The names of those on board were not immediately released.

Hanks said the pilot reported the landing gear on the two- engine Beech Hawker-Sidley would not lock in place as the craft approached Las Vegas, where the family planned to vacation. The plane made two passes above the airport control tower to check on whether the gear was down, then circled to burn fuel.

Witnesses said they saw a huge fireball followed by the aircraft's passenger door opening and everyone, including the pilot, escaping without serious injury. Television in the Nevada city interrupted programming to show the dramatic landing.

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