LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A UPS cargo plane tragically crashed around 5:15 p.m. during takeoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in at least seven fatalities and several significant injuries. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, which was en route to Honolulu, experienced a fire that started in its left wing. Four of the deceased were on the ground at the time of the crash. Authorities report that 11 others sustained ‘very significant’ injuries.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene where video footage revealed dramatic flames and smoke billowing from the aircraft. Witnesses reported a loud explosion as the plane went down, and urban damage included parts of a building's roof being shredded nearby. Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neill stated the fire extended across nearly an entire city block.
The airport was shut down following the incident, with operations expected to remain on hold until Wednesday morning. UPS confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board would lead the investigation, and they temporarily halted all package sorting activities at their Louisville facility. There was no hazardous cargo reported aboard the plane at the time of the crash.
Pablo Rojas, an aviation attorney, remarked on the aircraft’s challenges in gaining altitude due to the fire, highlighting the dire consequences posed by the aircraft's heavy fuel load. The tragedy sheds light on the potential dangers present in air freight operations as investigations continue to reveal the factors leading to this unfortunate disaster.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene where video footage revealed dramatic flames and smoke billowing from the aircraft. Witnesses reported a loud explosion as the plane went down, and urban damage included parts of a building's roof being shredded nearby. Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neill stated the fire extended across nearly an entire city block.
The airport was shut down following the incident, with operations expected to remain on hold until Wednesday morning. UPS confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board would lead the investigation, and they temporarily halted all package sorting activities at their Louisville facility. There was no hazardous cargo reported aboard the plane at the time of the crash.
Pablo Rojas, an aviation attorney, remarked on the aircraft’s challenges in gaining altitude due to the fire, highlighting the dire consequences posed by the aircraft's heavy fuel load. The tragedy sheds light on the potential dangers present in air freight operations as investigations continue to reveal the factors leading to this unfortunate disaster.
