The Cessna aircraft hit an antenna about 3.40pm Friday local time and burst into flames after it tried to land in thick fog.

Despite injuries to the plane's two occupants, the liver they were escorting to a local hospital was retrieved unscathed from the wreckage, sources told Sky News.

Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital received the liver and a spokeswoman said the transplant operation would proceed, the Birmingham Mail reported.

All flights were suspended and five incoming planes were diverted to other airports in the wake of the crash.

The 58-year-old male pilot suffered chest, abdomen and pelvic injuries after being trapped inside the burning aircraft and was airlifted to hospital.

He was in a serious but stable condition, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance told the Birmingham Mail.

"A second man was treated at the scene for flash burns to his body and a back injury. The man believed to be in his 30s was immobilised using a spinal board and neck collar before being conveyed, via land ambulance, to Heartlands Hospital," a West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.

The incident caused widespread disruption to travelers, halting all flights and prompting gridlock on roads surrounding the airport.

An eyewitness, Lorraine Parker, reported seeing a plume of smoke coming from a runway area and fire trucks heading to the scene of the crash.

A statement from Birmingham Airport said: "... the Airport runway remains closed until 12pm Saturday (local time)20th November at the earliest and no flights will operate before this time."

"Those due to travel to the airport should contact their airline for further guidance as some flight disruption is expected."

Read more at Sky News.