By: Sunday Ameh
A United States UPS cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, killing at least seven people and injuring several others, according to Kentucky authorities.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 jet, operating as UPS Flight 2976, was en route to Honolulu when it went down minutes after departure, erupting into a massive fireball. Viral footage filmed by airport personnel showed the plane already ablaze as it accelerated down the runway before exploding upon impact and sending thick clouds of black smoke into the sky.
Eyewitness videos also captured the aircraft plowing through nearby industrial structures near the airport perimeter before bursting into flames.
In a preliminary statement, UPS confirmed the accident, stating that three crew members were on board at the time of the crash.
“UPS will release more facts as they become available, but the National Transportation Safety Board is in charge of the investigation,” the company said.
The Federal Aviation Administration also confirmed the crash, noting it occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear later announced that seven people had been confirmed dead, including the three crew members and four people on the ground. At least 11 others sustained injuries, and officials warn the casualty figure could rise as rescue efforts continue.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said emergency services responded to “an active scene with fire and debris scattered across multiple structures,” while Louisville Metro Police reported more than 20 emergency calls related to the crash.
Flight data from FlightRadar24 shows the aircraft — registered N259UP — was a 34-year-old MD-11 converted for cargo service and inducted into UPS operations in 2006.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the disaster, while aviation safety experts say it may take weeks to determine the exact cause. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the crash site, which remains cordoned off due to hazardous debris and ongoing fire suppression efforts.
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