Officials believe at least seven people were killed after a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) on Tuesday evening, November 4.
UPS MD-11’s Deadly Crash During Takeoff
The UPS aircraft, operating as Flight 2976 and bound for Honolulu, went down just south of the airfield at around 5:13 pm EST, moments after departing from Runway 17R.
Todd Inman, Board member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said that the left engine of the plane caught fire during takeoff and immediately detached, reports NBC.
Dramatic footage captured by a bystander showed the left engine on fire as the aircraft struggled to gain altitude.
Massive plumes of black smoke rose above the airport, prompting officials to suspend all operations immediately.
UPS Explosion Triggers Emergency Response
Local police and fire crews rushed to the scene as the explosion shook nearby neighbourhoods.
A shelter-in-place order was issued within a five-mile radius of the airport due to concerns about toxic smoke and debris.
The order was later expanded north toward the Ohio River.
In an official statement, UPS confirmed the accident, stating,
“At approximately 5:20 PM ET tonight, UPS Flight 2976 from Louisville to Honolulu, an MD-11 with three crewmembers onboard, was involved in an accident. At this time, we have not confirmed any injuries or casualties.”
However, Kentucky Governor, Andy Beshear later reported that at least seven people had died, warning that the number could rise.
Kentucky Governor Andy while urging residents to pray for the victims and their families said:
“Louisville and all of Kentucky are hurting after a heartbreaking day.”
NTSB Launches Investigation
The NTSB will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash, UPS confirmed.
Early aerial footage from WLKY News showed parts of the aircraft strewn across the airfield and damage to a nearby building.
Todd Inman, NTSB, confirmed with the BBC that the plane was able to lift off the ground, however, it hit several businesses nearby with the fire spanning across half a mile. The massive blaze was due to the fuel load of 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) when it crashed.
The 34-year-old MD-11 had a long service history, first delivered to Thai Airways in 1991 before joining UPS in 2006. It had been a regular fixture at Louisville, the cargo carrier’s largest global hub.
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