A UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff at Louisville International Airport on Tuesday, killing at least nine people and injuring 11 others, according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. The crash occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time as the aircraft was departing for Honolulu.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the MD-11 freighter, which was 34 years old and had been in service with UPS since 2006, caught fire on its left wing before lifting slightly off the ground, crashing, and exploding in a massive fireball. Video footage showed flames on the wing prior to the crash.
Governor Beshear initially reported seven fatalities but later revised the number to nine, warning that the toll could rise. Mayor Craig Greenberg noted the plane carried a large amount of jet fuel, posing significant concerns. The Louisville Metro Police Department responded to reports of injuries, and all flights scheduled to and from the airport on Tuesday were cancelled.
The Louisville airport is home to UPS Worldport, the company's largest package handling facility, handling over 400,000 packages per hour with 300 daily flights. The crash is expected to disrupt deliveries for UPS and its major customers, including Amazon and the United States Postal Service.
Witness Tom Brooks Jr., who runs a metal recycling business nearby, described the scene as "a war zone," saying the impact "rocked the whole place." Aviation attorney Pablo Rojas noted that the plane, carrying a large fuel load, essentially acted like a bomb once the fire started. US air safety authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
