In brief
On Tuesday evening, a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after departing from Louisville's airport, leading to at least seven fatalities and significant injuries to eleven others. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 experienced complications during takeoff, engulfing in flames and exploding on impact with an adjacent facility. Local authorities and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the disaster, with the airport closed for operations until further notice.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball around 5:15 PM on Tuesday while taking off from the company's global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The tragic incident has resulted in at least seven fatalities and left eleven others injured, according to local authorities.
Witnesses reported seeing flames shooting from the plane's left wing before it lifted slightly off the ground and crashed, creating a large explosion. The plane was departing from the UPS Worldport facility at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, bound for Honolulu.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that four of the deceased were not on the plane, with the possibility of the death toll rising due to the severity of injuries among the eleven hurt, some of whom sustained “very significant” injuries.
Video footage captured at the crash site shows horrific scenes and raised concerns from local officials. “The images are violent,” Governor Beshear stated during a press conference, expressing hopes for the victims and their families.
The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 built in 1991, had three crew members on board at the time of the accident. However, their current conditions remain unknown.
The incident has led UPS to halt all package sorting operations at its largest facility, which processes over 400,000 packages an hour and employs thousands. The airport is expected to remain closed until Wednesday morning as investigators work to assess the damage, which reportedly impacted nearby businesses, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling.
Local council member Betsy Ruhe stated, “We all know somebody who works at UPS,” highlighting the community's concern for the safety of their loved ones. A significant effort is underway to ascertain the whereabouts of individuals who may have been near the explosion site.
As the investigation unfolds, the National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to gather evidence. Potentially, fuel issues might have contributed to the rapid escalation of the fire.
The crash caused considerable chaos in the area, with eyewitnesses describing the explosion as sounding like a bomb. Local business owners expressed shock, describing the scene as reminiscent of a war zone.
Residents in nearby areas reported a significant disturbance, with many feeling the impact of the explosion miles away. Emergency services have been deployed to aid in recovery efforts as the community grapples with this harrowing event.
