LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A cargo aircraft operated by United Parcel Service (UPS) crashed shortly after take-off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, erupting into a massive fireball and leaving at least nine people dead and 11 injured, with some among the missing still unaccounted for.
[Video Courtesy Maximus Aviation]
The freighter, an MD-11 large cargo jet, departed around 5:13 p.m. local time on its way to Honolulu and quickly encountered a catastrophic event during its climb. Video and early reports show the left engine apparently detaching and flames engulfing the wing before the aircraft crashed into an industrial zone just south of the runway.
The impact ignited nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling facility and an auto parts store, compounding the death toll and prompting a shelter-in-place order for residents. Officials say more than 16 families have reported loved ones unaccounted for.
Airport operations were suspended for hours, with one runway now reopened but another expected to remain closed for approximately ten days. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a full investigation. Primary focus: why the engine separated and why the aircraft lost thrust after having three engines.
In a statement, UPS said it is “terribly saddened by the accident” and has halted cargo sorting operations at its Louisville hub, home to thousands of employees. The company expressed its cooperation with federal investigators.
Governor Andy Beshear pledged full state support for first responders and emphasized that the search-and-rescue effort would continue until the scene is fully secured. Mayor Craig Greenberg described the crash as “an incredible tragedy our community will never forget.”
As investigators work to reconstruct the sequence of events, authorities are urging the public to stay clear of the crash zone. The full cause of the disaster could take months to determine, and the human toll is still rising.
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