At least seven individuals were killed when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that the plane's three crew members were highly likely among the fatalities after the freight aircraft exploded around 17:15 local time (22:15 GMT). The governor also confirmed that at least 11 other people sustained injuries when the plane came down, sending dense clouds of black smoke billowing into the sky. Officials have issued warnings that some individuals suffered "very significant" injuries in the incident, indicating that the death toll could potentially rise, reports The WP Times with reference to ВВС.
Two employees at an auto business struck by the aircraft remained unaccounted for as of Tuesday evening, and authorities could not immediately confirm the number of customers present at the premises during the time of the impact. UPS issued a statement confirming that three crew members were aboard the flight but added that they had not "confirmed any injuries/casualties" at that time. A preliminary investigation has been initiated, although officials stressed that it is premature to determine the exact cause of the crash.
The immense conflagration and black smoke were attributed by officials to the large volume of fuel on board the aircraft. The plane, identified as an MD-11F triple-engine model, was beginning a long journey of approximately 4,300 miles (6,920 km) to Hawaii and was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 liters) of fuel when the crash occurred. Although the contents of the cargo have not been officially confirmed, authorities assured the public that the aircraft was not carrying anything that would pose a heightened risk of contamination. The subsequent explosion engulfed at least two nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling company. Initially, a shelter-in-place order was issued for an area within a five-mile radius of the airport due to the risk of further explosions and air pollution, though this was later reduced to a one-mile radius as emergency crews worked to manage the massive blaze.
Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O'Neal described the fuel spillage at the crash site as a "very dangerous situation." At a press conference, Governor Beshear urged the public to avoid the crash site, emphasizing that the scene was "violent" and still contained "dangerous things that are flammable, that are potentially explosive." Beshear declined to speculate on the cause of the incident, confirming that the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) would lead the official investigation. The NTSB investigative team was scheduled to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday. Louisville Metro Police Dept Chief Paul Humphrey advised that the area would remain "an ongoing active scene for the next several days" as crews worked to render the site safe for investigation.
The MD-11F aircraft model first entered service 34 years ago as a passenger jet with Thai Airways before being transferred to UPS in 2006. It was originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which later merged with Boeing in 1997. Both FedEx and UPS had previously announced plans in 2023 to gradually retire their MD-11 fleets over the next decade as part of modernization efforts. Boeing released a statement expressing its readiness to "support our customer" and offering technical assistance to the NTSB. The crash led to the cancellation of all departing flights for Tuesday evening. Louisville is significant to UPS as it hosts UPS Worldport, the delivery firm's global air cargo hub and the world's largest package handling facility. In a statement, UPS expressed deep sadness over the tragedy and announced the halting of package sorting operations at Worldport on Tuesday night. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called the crash an "incredible tragedy that our community will never forget."
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