Washington (BN24) – At least three people are dead and 11 others injured after a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded shortly after takeoff Tuesday evening from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Kentucky officials said. The fiery crash has prompted a massive emergency response and a shelter-in-place order for neighborhoods north of the airport amid fears of additional explosions.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, operated by UPS Airlines, crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time while attempting to depart for Honolulu, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Video footage captured flames erupting from the aircraft’s left wing moments before it lifted briefly off the runway, then slammed back down and exploded in a massive fireball that could be seen miles away.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the fatalities late Tuesday and warned that the casualty numbers could rise as rescue crews continue to search the wreckage. “We’re asking all Kentuckians to pray for those that have been impacted,” Beshear told The Associated Press. He said the crash site remains “a very dangerous situation” due to flammable materials and debris scattered across the area.
Emergency crews from across Louisville Metro responded to the scene, battling intense flames as thick smoke billowed into the sky. “Because of the magnitude of the fire, some responders have had to shelter behind different things,” Beshear said.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described the plane’s fuel load as an “extreme reason for concern,” warning that fire and hazardous materials posed ongoing risks for nearby communities. The crash occurred close to the end of a runway near airport service buildings, leaving debris and twisted metal spread across the tarmac.
The Louisville Metro Emergency Services issued a shelter-in-place order for all areas north of the airport extending to the Ohio River, urging residents to remain indoors as hazardous materials teams worked to secure the site.
The MD-11 aircraft, manufactured in 1991, was part of UPS’s global air fleet based at its Worldport facility in Louisville, the company’s largest package-sorting hub. The facility employs thousands and handles up to 300 daily flights, processing more than 400,000 packages per hour.
UPS released a brief statement acknowledging the crash and confirming it is cooperating fully with federal investigators. “Our focus is on the safety and well-being of our employees and the surrounding community,” the company said.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the plane encountered engine trouble moments after takeoff, but officials have not confirmed the cause.
The Louisville airport is located just ten minutes from downtown Louisville, near residential neighborhoods and tourist attractions along the Indiana state line. Authorities have not yet identified the victims.
