LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball just after takeoff from the company’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The crash occurred around 5:15 PM on Tuesday, killing at least seven people and injuring eleven others. This tragic event unfolded as the aircraft departed for Honolulu from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, known as UPS Worldport.
Video footage captured by witnesses showed flames engulfing the plane's left wing followed by dramatic plumes of smoke. The aircraft appeared to lift slightly off the ground before crashing in a tremendous explosion.
As of late Tuesday night, officials confirmed four of the deceased were not on the plane. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed concern that the death toll could rise. Among the injured, some sustained significant injuries, and the local community is anxiously awaiting updates about the three crew members aboard the ill-fated flight, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 built in 1991.
UPS has confirmed the suspension of package sorting operations at its largest facility in Louisville following the disaster, disrupting the logistics center which handles over 400,000 packages per hour across 300 daily flights.
“As the flames roared, the chaos lasted,” described a witness who heard what sounded like explosions. “This area looked like a war zone, and it rocked the entire community.”
Emergency responders quickly mobilized, and the National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation, sending a team to assess the accident scene as operations were temporarily halted at the airport. The community remains in shock as families and friends desperately seek information about those missing during this devastating occurrence.
Video footage captured by witnesses showed flames engulfing the plane's left wing followed by dramatic plumes of smoke. The aircraft appeared to lift slightly off the ground before crashing in a tremendous explosion.
As of late Tuesday night, officials confirmed four of the deceased were not on the plane. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed concern that the death toll could rise. Among the injured, some sustained significant injuries, and the local community is anxiously awaiting updates about the three crew members aboard the ill-fated flight, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 built in 1991.
UPS has confirmed the suspension of package sorting operations at its largest facility in Louisville following the disaster, disrupting the logistics center which handles over 400,000 packages per hour across 300 daily flights.
“As the flames roared, the chaos lasted,” described a witness who heard what sounded like explosions. “This area looked like a war zone, and it rocked the entire community.”
Emergency responders quickly mobilized, and the National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation, sending a team to assess the accident scene as operations were temporarily halted at the airport. The community remains in shock as families and friends desperately seek information about those missing during this devastating occurrence.
