At least seven people have died after a cargo aircraft operated by UPS Airlines crashed shortly after departing Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday. According to ABC News, authorities identified the flight as departing around 5:15 p.m. local time, en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, and consisting of a three-member crew aboard a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter.
While the exact number of fatalities is expected to rise, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear noted initial confirmation of at least seven dead and 11 injured, some with “very significant” injuries. The crash occurred in an industrial area near the end of a runway. It ignited a major fire, prompting authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents to avoid exposure to explosion and debris hazards.
Authorities Confirm Fatalities, Describe Fiery Crash Scene
Investigators say the freighter aircraft crashed approximately three miles south of the runway at the Louisville airport. Reuters reports that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft, operating as Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff, gaining only minimal altitude before going down.
Video released by eyewitnesses and shared by AP News shows flames erupting from the left wing of the aircraft and the plane struggling to gain altitude before it came down in a fiery explosion. Two nearby businesses, including a petroleum-recycling facility and an auto-parts operation, were struck by debris and fire from the crash. The aircraft reportedly carried approximately 38,000 gallons of jet fuel at takeoff, which contributed to the size of the blaze.
Shelter-In-Place Issued As Emergency Crews Respond
In response to the crash and subsequent explosion, a shelter-in-place order was issued for a five-mile radius around the airport and was later narrowed to a one-mile radius as conditions were reassessed. The Louisville Metro Police Department posted a notice on social media indicating the scene was still active, with fire and debris, and urged residents to avoid the area.
Officials stated they will work to determine what caused the aircraft to crash shortly after takeoff. Meanwhile, rescue, cleanup, and containment efforts continue at the scene, and residents remain under advisories to avoid the area.
