At least seven people killed after UPS cargo plane crashes in Kentucky

Seven people were killed when a UPS cargo plane crashed while taking off from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday evening, the state’s governor said.

At least 11 more people were injured and clouds of thick black smoke spread into the sky when a freighter plane taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport exploded around 17:15 local time (22:15 GMT).

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that the three crew members of the plane might be among the dead and said, “Anyone who has seen the images and video knows how severe this accident was.”

Authorities warned that people were “very seriously” injured in the incident and that the death toll could rise.

UPS Flight 2976, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 liters) of fuel when it skidded off the runway in Louisville and crashed into nearby buildings.

The explosion shook at least two nearby businesses, including an oil recycling company. A shelter-in-place order was initially issued within five miles of the airport due to concerns of further explosions and air pollution, but was later reduced to just one mile.

In the statement made to X by the airport, it was stated that all flights scheduled for Tuesday evening were cancelled.

Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said the fire was almost completely under control and crews were still assigned to the scene of the accident.

“When an incident this large and the fire spreads over such a large area, we have to use hundreds of personnel to surround it, contain it and then slowly bring it in,” O’Neill said.

He added: “These are trained firefighters from across the region who are doing this job very carefully, searching frame by frame to make sure we can find any further victims.”

At a press conference, Beshear warned people not to go to the scene of the accident and said, “There are still dangerous things that are flammable and have the potential to explode.”

Beshear said he would “not speculate” on what caused the incident, adding that the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) would lead the investigation.

The NTSB’s investigative team is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday.

Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Paul Humphrey said the crash scene will be “an active crime scene that continues for the next several days.”

He added: “We don’t know how long it will take to make that scene safe for the investigation to take place.”

The plane was an MD-11F, a three-engine jet that began service as a passenger jet with Thai Airways 34 years ago but was transferred to UPS in 2006.

The MD-11F was first produced by McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997.

MD-11s are just over 61 meters long and have a wingspan of 52 metres; This is smaller than Boeing 747s, which have a length of about 76 meters and a wingspan of 68 metres.

In 2023, FedEx and UPS announced plans to begin retiring their MD-11 fleets over the next decade as part of their plans to modernize their fleets.

In a statement, Boeing said it was “prepared to support our customer” and that “our concern is for the safety and well-being of all affected.”

He added that he would offer technical assistance to the NTSB.

Louisville is home to UPS Worldport, a global hub for the delivery company’s air cargo operations and the largest package handling facility in the world.

At the press conference, Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe said the city is a “UPS city” and every resident knows someone who works for the company.

“They’re all texting their friends and family, trying to make sure everyone is safe,” he said.

UPS said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” by the incident and would cease package sorting operations at Worldport on Tuesday night.

He added: “UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, customers and the communities we serve. This is especially true in Louisville, the home of our airline and thousands of UPSers.”

State Senator Keturah Herron said: “Many of us are watching our family members and loved ones pass [Louisville airport] regularly.”

In a post on X, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said the plane crash was “an incredible tragedy that our community will never forget.”

He added: “We are so grateful to our brave first responders who rushed to the scene to help control the fire and provide support to victims on the ground.”