Seven people lost their lives and at least eleven others were injured when a UPS cargo plane crashed and burst into flames during takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that the three crew members are believed to be among the victims. “Anyone who has seen the footage of the crash knows how violent this incident was,” he said.
UPS Flight 2976, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, was carrying about 38,000 gallons (144,000 liters) of fuel when it veered off the runway and struck several nearby buildings, triggering powerful explosions and thick plumes of smoke.
The fire engulfed at least two nearby businesses, including an oil recycling company. Authorities initially issued a shelter-in-place order for residents within a five-mile radius due to the risk of contamination and further explosions, later reducing it to one mile.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said the blaze is “mostly under control,” though search operations for additional victims are ongoing. “It takes hundreds of personnel to isolate and fully extinguish a fire of this magnitude,” he added.
All departing flights from the airport have been canceled, and the crash site will remain an “active scene for several days,” according to local police.
Governor Beshear urged citizens to stay away from the area, warning about the risk posed by flammable materials. He also confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the accident, with investigators expected to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday, November 5.
