At least seven people have been confirmed dead after a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening.
The tragic incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time (22:15 GMT) as UPS Flight 2976, bound for Honolulu, skidded off the runway and struck nearby buildings. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that the plane’s three crew members are likely among the deceased, describing the crash as “extremely violent.”
Authorities reported that at least 11 others sustained injuries, some of which are described as “very significant.” Officials cautioned that the death toll could rise as search and recovery operations continue.
The MD-11F aircraft, carrying approximately 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel, erupted into a massive fireball upon impact, engulfing two nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling facility. A temporary shelter-in-place order was issued within five miles of the airport due to explosion and air quality concerns, later reduced to one mile once the fire was mostly contained.
Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neill said hundreds of emergency personnel were deployed to contain the blaze. “This was a large-scale incident spread over a massive area,” he said, adding that crews are conducting careful grid-by-grid searches for additional victims.
Governor Beshear urged the public to avoid the area, warning of lingering hazards from flammable and explosive materials. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday to lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.
The ill-fated MD-11F, originally built by McDonnell Douglas in 1990 and later acquired by UPS in 2006, had been in service for 34 years. Both UPS and Boeing expressed condolences, with Boeing stating it is “ready to support our customer” and is focused on “the safety and well-being of all those affected.”
