At least seven killed after UPS plane crashes near Kentucky airport

By MELISSA KOENIG, US REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Seven people were killed and eleven were injured when a large UPS plane exploded as it took off from a Louisville, Kentucky airport on Tuesday. The MD-11 plane exploded around 5.15pm as it departed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, heading toward Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, the Federal Aviation Authority announced. Terrifying video shared to social media showed the aircraft attempting to takeoff with a ball of fire emanating from its left wing. Just moments later, the plane exploded.

Seven people were killed and eleven were injured when a large UPS plane exploded as it took off from a Louisville, Kentucky airport on Tuesday. The MD-11 plane exploded around 5.15pm as it departed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, heading toward Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, the Federal Aviation Authority announced. Terrifying video shared to social media showed the aircraft attempting to takeoff with a ball of fire emanating from its left wing. Just moments later, the plane exploded.

Dashcam footage also showed the plane crashing back into the runway, leaving a blaze in its wake. It struck two local businesses - Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Autoparts, which Governor Andy Beshear said accounted for all of its employees except for two who were later found. There were three crew members onboard the flight at the time, UPS officials have confirmed. But it is unclear whether the fatalities were members of the crew. 'From the videos I've seen, I'm very concerned for them, but I'm still praying,' Beshear said at a news conference Tuesday night. 'It may be some time until we can account for everyone,' he warned.

The plane was also fueled with 38,000 gallons at the time, due to the lengthy trip to Hawaii - sparking a massive fire that spread to cover five miles. At least two victims remained in critical condition Tuesday night as the governor warned the number of fatalities and injuries 'is going to get larger.' Locals had reported hearing a loud explosion as the businesses were struck, with Louisville Metro Police spokesman Matt Sanders telling WDRB the department received 20 calls for service as debris fell out of the sky.

The plane was also fueled with 38,000 gallons at the time, due to the lengthy trip to Hawaii - sparking a massive fire that spread to cover five miles. At least two victims remained in critical condition Tuesday night as the governor warned the number of fatalities and injuries 'is going to get larger.' Locals had reported hearing a loud explosion as the businesses were struck, with Louisville Metro Police spokesman Matt Sanders telling WDRB the department received 20 calls for service as debris fell out of the sky.

'It fell out of the sky when I was working on the car, and that's when we found out abut the crash,' Justin Dunn told KKTV as he held up a piece of charred paper. 'And then my son was like, "Hey look up in the sky" and it was coming down out of the sky when he picked it up.' Other witnesses also reported finding Hawaiian-style dresses that are believed to have come from the plane, according to WAVE. 'There's definitely debris all through here, probably within 10 miles,' Dunn said. Louisville Metro Police then announced on social media that several agencies are responding to the scene south of the airport as authorities urged community members to avoid the area.

'It fell out of the sky when I was working on the car, and that's when we found out abut the crash,' Justin Dunn told KKTV as he held up a piece of charred paper. 'And then my son was like, "Hey look up in the sky" and it was coming down out of the sky when he picked it up.' Other witnesses also reported finding Hawaiian-style dresses that are believed to have come from the plane, according to WAVE. 'There's definitely debris all through here, probably within 10 miles,' Dunn said. Louisville Metro Police then announced on social media that several agencies are responding to the scene south of the airport as authorities urged community members to avoid the area.

They said it remained an active scene with 'smoke and debris', as they issued a shelter-in-place order which at one point covered much of the city. 'Please remain away from the area until further notice,' the police department urged as authorities secured the buildings. The airport remained closed Tuesday night, and those with scheduled flights on Wednesday are urged to check their flight status as travel chaos continues nationwide. Those who found debris were also urged not to touch it and instead fill out a form.

They said it remained an active scene with 'smoke and debris', as they issued a shelter-in-place order which at one point covered much of the city. 'Please remain away from the area until further notice,' the police department urged as authorities secured the buildings. The airport remained closed Tuesday night, and those with scheduled flights on Wednesday are urged to check their flight status as travel chaos continues nationwide. Those who found debris were also urged not to touch it and instead fill out a form.

Meanwhile, operations were halted at UPS Worldport, the company's largest shipping and logistics facility globally, which processes two million packages each day, through Wednesday. Employees who work on the company's Next Day Air sort were even told not to report to work, the Louisville Courier Journal reports. 'We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved,' the company said in a statement. 'UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve,' it added. 'This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.'

Meanwhile, operations were halted at UPS Worldport, the company's largest shipping and logistics facility globally, which processes two million packages each day, through Wednesday. Employees who work on the company's Next Day Air sort were even told not to report to work, the Louisville Courier Journal reports. 'We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved,' the company said in a statement. 'UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve,' it added. 'This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.'

It added that it is 'engaged' with the National Transportation Safety Board investigation and are 'staying in close contact' with the FAA. 'We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts,' the company vowed. Amid the tragedy, Mayor Craig Greenberg said he and his wife, Rachel, are praying for the victims. 'We have every emergency agency responding to the scene,' he said on social media. 'There are multiple injuries and the fire is still burning. 'There are many road closures in the area - please avoid the scene.' Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also asked the public to 'please join me in prayer for the Louisville community and flight crew impacted by this horrific crash.' He added that the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA 'are mobilizing to get on the ground and will lead the investigation'.

It added that it is 'engaged' with the National Transportation Safety Board investigation and are 'staying in close contact' with the FAA. 'We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts,' the company vowed. Amid the tragedy, Mayor Craig Greenberg said he and his wife, Rachel, are praying for the victims. 'We have every emergency agency responding to the scene,' he said on social media. 'There are multiple injuries and the fire is still burning. 'There are many road closures in the area - please avoid the scene.' Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also asked the public to 'please join me in prayer for the Louisville community and flight crew impacted by this horrific crash.' He added that the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA 'are mobilizing to get on the ground and will lead the investigation'.

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