The National Transportation Safety Board will dispatch a team of investigators to assist the government of China in its investigation of today’s crash of a Boeing/McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, operated by Avient Air (registration Z-BAV).

Today, at approximately 8:14 a.m. local time, the aircraft, flight #SMJ324, crashed on takeoff at Pudong Airport in Shanghai, China, under unknown circumstances. This cargo flight originated in Shanghai and its destination was Harare, Zimbabwe.

Of the 7 crew members onboard, 3 are reported to have suffered fatal injuries and 4 have suffered serious injuries.

NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman has designated senior investigator Bill English as the U.S. Accredited Representative. His team will include an NTSB structures specialist, as well as technical advisors from the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, and Pratt & Whitney.

The investigation is being conducted by China’s General Administration of Civil Aviation which will release all information on the progress of the investigation.