A UPS plane tragically crashed shortly after taking off from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, according to reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This devastating incident has resulted in at least three confirmed fatalities and at least eleven injuries, some of which are reported to be significant.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear provided updates on the situation, indicating that there were three crewmembers aboard the aircraft. However, it remains unclear whether the fatalities were among the crew or individuals on the ground. Governor Beshear also noted that the status of the crew is currently unknown, and he announced the establishment of an emergency response team to assist the families affected by this tragic event.
The aircraft involved in the crash was an MD-11F, a freight transport aircraft manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997. The plane was reportedly en route to Honolulu at the time of the incident. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on-site to conduct thorough inquiries.
In response to the crash, the Louisville Metro Police Department announced a shelter-in-place order for residents near the crash site. Although officials confirmed that there were no hazardous materials aboard the plane that would pose an environmental threat, Governor Beshear emphasized that the crash location could potentially create such situations. He described the response as an "all-hands on deck" operation, highlighting the seriousness of the circumstances.
A large plume of black smoke was reported near the airport, with local television footage showing fire and debris scattered over a wide area surrounding the crash site. Following the incident, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport announced the temporary suspension of all arriving and departing flights, effectively closing the airport until further notice.
Governor Beshear has conveyed the seriousness of the situation via social media, stating that he is en route to Louisville to oversee the response efforts. The airport in question is home to the UPS Worldport, recognized as the company’s largest package handling facility globally, with hundreds of flights operating daily from Louisville.
This is a developing story, and updates will continue to be provided as more information becomes available. Please refresh for the latest details on this tragic incident.
