A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, killing at least twelve people and injuring several others, officials said.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the deaths and warned that the number could rise as rescue crews continue to search the debris. “Those who survived have very serious injuries, and several people are still missing,” he said.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F aircraft caught fire moments after takeoff when its left engine reportedly detached from the wing, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The plane exploded upon impact, hitting nearby buildings and igniting a massive fire that sent thick smoke into the sky.
UPS said three crew members were aboard the flight but has not confirmed whether they were among the dead, adding that the company is “deeply saddened” by the tragedy.
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Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. Todd Inman of the NTSB said video footage showed the left engine “separating from the wing just before liftoff.”
Beshear declared a state of emergency to speed up the response. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said limited flight operations have since resumed.
Officials said the jet was carrying about 38,000 gallons of fuel for a flight to Hawaii, which worsened the blaze. “It looked like it was raining oil across parts of the city,” said Kentucky Representative Morgan McGarvey.
A temporary shelter-in-place order was lifted after firefighters brought the fire under control. The NTSB has deployed 28 investigators with assistance from Boeing, which said it was “ready to support our customer.”
UPS suspended operations at its Louisville Worldport hub, calling the incident “a heartbreaking day for our UPS family.”