Harrowing CCTV footage has emerged showing the dramatic moments leading up to a UPS cargo plane crashing near Louisville International Airport in Kentucky, sending shockwaves through the aviation community.
The surveillance video, obtained from a nearby business, captures the Boeing 747 freighter descending at an unusually steep angle before disappearing behind trees and buildings, followed immediately by a massive plume of black smoke rising into the sky.
Emergency Response Mobilised
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene within minutes of the crash, with multiple fire crews, ambulance teams and police units converging on the area. Initial reports indicate the aircraft was on its final approach to the airport when the incident occurred during daylight hours.
Local authorities have established a large perimeter around the crash site as investigation teams from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been deployed to determine the cause of the accident.
Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny
This incident raises fresh concerns about cargo aircraft safety and landing procedures at major freight hubs. Louisville International Airport serves as UPS's primary global air hub, handling millions of packages daily and operating numerous flights throughout the night and early morning.
Aviation experts are analysing the footage frame by frame, looking for clues about what might have caused the experienced crew to lose control during what should have been a routine landing approach.
The crash is expected to have significant implications for cargo operations nationwide as safety protocols are reviewed and potentially strengthened in response to this alarming incident.
