A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday, erupting into a massive fireball and killing at least seven people, according to Governor Andy Beshear. Eleven others were injured, and officials expect the death toll to rise.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, carrying three crew members, crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time while bound for Honolulu, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The plane struck a recycling centre and an auto parts shop in an industrial area adjacent to the airport, igniting multiple ground fires. One confirmed fatality and the injuries occurred on the ground, airport officials reported.
Governor Beshear stated that no hazardous cargo was on board. All departing flights from Louisville were cancelled Tuesday night. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, with Boeing providing technical support.
Video footage from local media showed the plane with fire on one wing before it hit the ground, producing a huge fireball. Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft climbed to 175 feet and reached 184 knots before descending sharply. A shelter-in-place order was issued for areas within five miles of the airport, later extended to much of the city.
