Kentucky: A UPS cargo plane has crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11 others, according to Governor Andy Beshear. Authorities have said that the fatalities could increase as rescue efforts continue at the crash site.
The aircraft, an MD-11F model, erupted into flames shortly after takeoff at around 17:15 local time (22:15 GMT) on October 4, sending thick black smoke into the sky. The crash caused a massive fire, engulfing nearby businesses including a petroleum recycling company.
Governor Beshear said that the three UPS crew members on board were likely among the dead. It is not yet confirmed whether they are included in the current death toll. Two employees from a nearby auto business remain unaccounted for, and officials have described the injuries among survivors as ‘very significant’.
The aircraft was loaded with around 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel and was heading for Hawaii, approximately 4,300 miles (6,920 kilometres) away. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, but officials have said it is too early to determine the cause of the crash.
Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neal said that the large quantity of spilled fuel made the area extremely hazardous. Authorities initially imposed a five-mile shelter-in-place order due to the risk of explosions and air pollution, later reducing it to a one-mile radius as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Paul Humphrey said that the site will remain active for several days while investigators and safety crews secure the area. Flights departing from Louisville airport were cancelled following the crash.
The aircraft, first delivered in 1990 to Thai Airways as a passenger jet, had been in UPS’s fleet since 2006. Both FedEx and UPS have announced plans to retire their ageing MD-11 fleets within the next decade. Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, has stated that it will provide technical support to the NTSB.
In a statement, the company added that it remains committed to the safety of employees and communities it serves. Kentucky’s Senator Keturah Herron said that the incident has deeply affected local residents, while Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described the crash as an ‘incredible tragedy’ for the city.
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