Louisville UPS crash leaves 11 dead as probe focuses on engine failure

International

FIRE lit up the skies over Louisville on Tuesday evening when a UPS cargo plane’s engine tore loose during takeoff, crashing into nearby businesses and killing at least 11 people, according to state officials.

Authorities said the death toll is expected to rise, with several people still missing, including at least one child.

The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time (22:15 GMT) when the aircraft’s left engine caught fire and detached from the wing during takeoff, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed.

Thick smoke filled the area as the plane exploded on impact, hitting several businesses near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

In a BBC report, NTSB spokesperson Todd Inman said preliminary video evidence shows “the left engine of the aircraft detaching from the wing during the takeoff roll.”

The footage, which has not been released, reportedly shows the plane briefly lifting off before striking buildings.

Investigators have recovered both black boxes, and search teams continue to look for missing victims in what officials described as a wide and hazardous debris field.

Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency to speed up assistance from emergency management and the Kentucky National Guard.

He urged residents to avoid the area, warning that the crash site remains unstable and potentially explosive.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said the airport has reopened its runway, while Louisville Metro Police Chief

Paul Humphrey noted that the scene will remain active for several days as investigators secure the site.

Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neal said roughly 38,000 gallons of jet fuel on board fueled the inferno, creating an extremely dangerous situation. A shelter-in-place order covering a five-mile radius was later reduced to one mile after crews gained control of the fire.

The downed aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter built 34 years ago, was transferred to the UPS fleet in 2006. Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, said it is assisting investigators and expressed concern for those affected.

UPS confirmed that three crew members were aboard but has not verified casualties. In a statement, the company said it was “terribly saddened by the incident” and suspended operations at its Worldport hub, its largest global air cargo facility.

Officials have not confirmed what cargo was on board but said it contained no hazardous materials.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.(MyTVCebu)