A large UPS cargo plane has crashed on approach to an airport in Birmingham, Alabama, federal aviation officials say.

The crash caused at least two explosions, throwing debris across the area. Emergency officials at the scene say the plane is still burning.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the A300 plane - en-route from Louisville, Kentucky, to Birmingham - crashed on approach to the airport before dawn.

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

Local reports say two people were aboard the plane, but there was no immediate information on them.

Reports say the plane went down on the outskirts of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, in an open field that is just outside the perimeter fence of the airport.

The crash has not affected airport operations, a spokeswoman says.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says it is launching a full team to investigate the crash, and that it is "gathering info" on the incident.

In a statement, UPS says it is still determining the details of the incident and they will release more information as it becomes available.