A UPS cargo plane crashed and erupted into a massive fireball shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday. The tragic incident, which involved a plane carrying three people, has resulted in at least three fatalities and 11 injuries, with the Governor cautioning that the death toll may rise.
Details of the Crash and Immediate Impact
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the aircraft, an MD-11 freighter, was departing for Honolulu around 5:15 pm ET when it went down.
- Fatalities and Injuries: UPS confirmed three crew members were on board, and federal officials fear all three are dead. The initial count indicates 11 people were injured in the vicinity.
- The Scene: Video footage captured flames on the left wing and a trail of smoke as the plane briefly lifted off before crashing and causing a massive fireball. Multiple buildings in the vicinity were set ablaze.
- Danger Zone: Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear emphasized the extreme danger posed by the burning fuel and potentially explosive materials, leading to the deployment of a large emergency response.
Emergency Response and Investigation
In response to the dangerous situation, Louisville Metro Emergency Services issued a shelter-in-place order for everyone within five miles (8 km) of the airport, later extended to cover all areas north of the airport up to the Ohio River.
- Investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and has dispatched a team to the crash site. NTSB inquiries typically take 12 to 24 months to determine the probable cause.
- Airport Closure: Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport, which is home to UPS Worldport, the company’s global air hub and largest package-handling facility, closed the airfield following the incident.
Logistics Disruption and Aircraft Information
The closure of the air hub, which manages 300 daily flights and sorts over 400,000 packages per hour, is expected to severely disrupt UPS deliveries for major clients including Amazon, Walmart, and the US Postal Service.
- Aircraft: FAA records show the involved MD-11 freighter was 34 years old. Boeing, which absorbed manufacturer McDonnell Douglas, confirmed it would offer technical support for the investigation.
Governor Beshear asked Kentuckians to “pray for those that have been impacted” by the crash.