Copyright International Business Times
Fires are still burning and rescue teams are combing through wreckage after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, killing at least seven people and injuring at least eleven more. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F operated by UPS Airlines, was bound for Honolulu when it went down at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion moments after the plane lifted off, followed by a massive fireball as the jet slammed into an industrial area just beyond the airport perimeter. Authorities confirmed that the plane was carrying roughly 38,000 gallons of jet fuel when it crashed, igniting several nearby businesses and sending plumes of thick black smoke over the city's south side. Emergency crews battled the flames well into the night, with portions of the fire still burning as of Wednesday morning. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said at least seven fatalities have been confirmed, including multiple people on the ground. The three crew members aboard the flight remain unaccounted for and are feared dead. "This is a devastating scene," Greenberg said at a morning press briefing. "Our hearts are with the families of those who lost their lives, and with the brave first responders still on site." At least eleven people were transported to area hospitals with burns and other injuries. Authorities warned that the number of victims could rise as search teams continue to reach parts of the debris field that are still unsafe due to lingering flames and toxic smoke. The impact destroyed several buildings in an industrial park adjacent to the airport, including a petroleum recycling facility and an auto-parts business. Officials issued a shelter-in-place order for neighborhoods within a five-mile radius due to hazardous smoke and the possibility of chemical exposure. Residents were urged to stay indoors and keep windows closed until air-quality testing is complete. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the flight number as UPS 2976. The plane had reported no major mechanical issues before takeoff, but investigators say communications were lost just seconds after liftoff. Preliminary reports suggest a possible engine failure or onboard fire may have contributed to the crash, though officials cautioned that it is too early to determine a cause. The National Transportation Safety Board has taken charge of the investigation and is expected to send a 15-member team to Louisville to examine the wreckage, flight data recorders, and maintenance history of the aircraft. FAA and UPS representatives are assisting. UPS, headquartered in Louisville and operating one of the world's largest air cargo hubs there, issued a statement expressing "deep sorrow" and pledging full cooperation with authorities. "We are heartbroken by this tragic event," the company said. "Our immediate priority is supporting the families of those affected." By early Wednesday, parts of the airport had reopened for limited operations, but several nearby roads remained closed. Fire officials said containment could take "many more hours" given the scale of the fuel-fed blaze. As investigators begin their work, Louisville residents continue to grapple with the shock. "It sounded like thunder, then the whole sky lit up," said Marcus Hall, who lives about a mile from the crash site. "You could feel the heat even from here." Officials expect to release more details about the victims and the cause of the crash in the coming days.
