Passengers were forced to run for their lives after a plane erupted into flames prior to take-off . The terrifying incident occurred at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel , and video captured shows the moment six passengers escaped from the stricken jet . The incident was declared a State of Emergency Level 3 - the highest level of danger at the airport . Officials are investigating into how and why a fire broke out on a passenger jet moments before take off . The small plane was scheduled to fly out to Russia from the Middle Eastern country . Speaking to Haaretz , a spokesperson for the airport authority said : 'The Fire and Rescue Services acted immediately to extinguish the fire that broke out in the plane during takeoff . 'The fire was extinguished . The work was carried out quickly and professionally . ' It is unknown how or why the fire broke out , and Attorney Yitzhak Raz , of the Transportation Ministry , has opened an investigation . Six people on board were forced to jump onto the runway to escape the flames on board . The fire engine is shown racing to the scene after the passengers leapt onto the tarmac . The fire broke out on the right-hand side of the plane . The six passengers on board all escaped without injury . The video shows people leaping from the plane before a fire engine races to put out the flames .
Passenger jet at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel grounded by fire . 3 passengers filmed leaping onto tarmac to avoid being burnt . Incident was declared a State of Emergency Level Six - the most serious .