A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, November 4, erupting into a massive fireball and leaving at least seven people dead and 11 others injured, according to state officials.
The aircraft, identified as a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, was bound for Honolulu when it went down at around 5:15 p.m. local time, just minutes after departure. Video footage captured by local media showed flames on one of the plane’s wings before it struck the ground, exploding into a huge fireball. The impact ignited several nearby industrial buildings, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the fatalities and warned that the death toll could rise, as several of the injured remain in critical condition. He urged residents within a five-mile radius of the airport to shelter in place while emergency crews battled the blaze and worked to secure the crash site.
Authorities believe the three crew members on board were among the dead, though officials have not yet released their identities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane was carrying no hazardous cargo, but the scale of the fire and debris posed significant risks to surrounding areas.
Emergency responders, including fire, police, and medical teams, rushed to the scene. Despite their efforts, the fire spread to multiple structures outside the runway perimeter, complicating rescue operations.
The crash has temporarily shut down operations at Louisville’s UPS Worldport, the company’s largest global air hub, which handles millions of packages daily. The incident is expected to cause major disruptions to cargo shipments nationwide.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA are now examining the wreckage to determine the cause of the disaster. Early reports suggest that the fire on the wing may have been a critical factor, but officials caution that it is too soon to draw conclusions.
Governor Beshear described the crash as “catastrophic” and called for prayers for the victims and their families. “We are hurting right now after a heartbreaking day,” he said.
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