No fewer than 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.
According to Andy Beshear, the plane’s three crew members were most likely killed when the freight plane exploded as it left Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport at about 17:15 local time.
It is unknown whether the fatal toll includes the three crew members on board the jet.
The jet crashed, injuring at least 11 other people and sending massive clouds of black smoke into the sky.
Officials cautioned that the incident resulted in “very significant” injuries, and the death toll could climb.
As of Tuesday evening, two workers at the impacted auto shop were unaccounted for, and it is unclear how many customers were present at the time of the accident.
UPS stated in a statement that three crew members were on board, but that “we have not confirmed any injuries/casualties.”
A preliminary investigation is underway, but officials believe it is too early to determine what caused the incident.
Officials did, however, remark that the large fire was caused by the amount of fuel onboard the airplane, which was around 4,300 miles (6,920 kilometers) from Hawaii.
The plane was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 liters) of fuel when it crashed.
It has not been established what cargo was on board, but officials have stated that the jet was not carrying anything that would pose a higher danger of contamination.
The explosion enveloped at least two adjoining enterprises, including a gasoline recycling facility.
A shelter-in-place order was initially issued for five miles around the airport due to worries about future explosions and air pollution, but it was eventually lowered to one mile.
All flights departing on Tuesday evening were canceled, according to an airport statement on X.
According to Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neal, the amount of fuel spilled at the crash site created a “very dangerous situation.”
As personnel attempted to confine the flames on Tuesday night, a shelter-in-place order was reduced from a five-mile radius to a one-mile radius.
At a press conference, Beshear advised people not to visit the crash site.
“Anyone who has seen the images and the video knows how violent this crash is,” he said.
“There are still dangerous things that are flammable, that are potentially explosive.”
Beshear stated that he would not “speculate” as to what caused the incident and that the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) will head the inquiry.
The NTSB’s investigative team is set to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday.
According to Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Paul Humphrey, the crash site will be “an ongoing active scene for the next several days.”
He added, “We don’t know how long it’s going to take to render that scene safe for the investigation to take place.”
The aircraft involved was an MD-11F triple-engine airliner that began service with Thai Airways 34 years ago as a passenger jet before being transferred to UPS in 2006.
McDonnell Douglas manufactured the aircraft before merging with Boeing in 1997.
FedEx and UPS both announced intentions in 2023 to retire their MD-11 fleets over the next decade as part of fleet modernization efforts.
In a statement, Boeing stated that it is “ready to support our customer” and that “our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected.”
It added that it will provide technical assistance to the NTSB.
Louisville is home to UPS Worldport, a global hub for the delivery firm’s air cargo operations and its largest package handling facility in the world.
During the press conference, Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe stated that the city is a “UPS town” and that every resident knows someone who works for the company.
“They’re all texting their friends and their family, trying to make sure everyone is safe,” she said.
UPS stated in a statement that it was “terribly saddened” by the tragedy and would cease package sorting operations at Worldport on Tuesday night.
It added, “UPS is committed to the safety of our employees and customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.”
State Senator Keturah Herron said, “Many of us watch our family members and loved ones pass through [Louisville airport] on a regular basis.”
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described the plane accident as an “incredible tragedy that our community will never forget” in a post on X.
He added, “We are so thankful for our brave first responders who have flooded the scene to help try and control the fire and provide support for any victims on the ground.”
