The 747-400, a UPS-operated cargo plane, crashed with its two pilots about 8 p.m. as it took off for Cologne, Germany.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority said the plane caught fire and crashed in an area between Emirates Road and Al Ain highway, catching fire, WAM reported.

The agency issued a statement saying the bodies of the two pilots were recovered.

The National Transportation Safety Board officials said Friday it will send an investigator to assist local officials as they search for clues on what caused the crash.