At least seven people are dead and 11 injured after a UPS cargo plane crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, officials confirmed.
The UPS MD-11 aircraft, operating as Flight 2976 and carrying three crew members, crashed around 5:15 p.m. near Fern Valley and Grade Lane, sending massive plumes of black smoke into the sky and igniting nearby structures, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and an auto parts facility. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said four of the deceased were not on the plane and warned the number of casualties could rise due to the severity of the situation, which remains dangerous because of flammable and potentially explosive materials.
Eleven people suffered injuries, some described as “very significant,” and the status of the crew has not been confirmed. A shelter-in-place order was issued for all locations within a five-mile radius of the airport, with residents urged to turn off air intake systems, while flights in and out of the airport have been suspended until at least Wednesday morning.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said the plane was carrying approximately 280,000 gallons of fuel. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, and an NTSB go-team is expected to arrive Wednesday, with Board Member Todd Inman serving as spokesperson.
Gov. Beshear and federal officials, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, offered prayers for the victims and the Louisville community as emergency crews continue battling the active fire and securing the crash site.
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