A UPS cargo ship crashed just after takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo credit: KTLA/YouTube)
A UPS cargo plane crashed just after takeoff Tuesday evening, killing at least seven and injuring 11.
Initial reports indicated that three people perished when an MD-11 crashed into a ball of fire moments after it departed from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport en route to Honolulu on Tuesday evening. But the death toll rose to seven a few hours later.
The aircraft, owned by UPS, hit two nearby businesses, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts. Other businesses were impacted by debris, but didn’t suffer a direct hit.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said all three crew members aboard the plane are assumed dead, and four of those confirmed dead were not on the plane when it crashed.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said that they expect the death toll to rise as the investigation continues. “It may be some time until we can account for everyone,” he said. Beshear added that the number of employees working at the businesses struck by the plane was known, but it’s unclear how many customers or other individuals may have been in the buildings at the time of the crash.
University of Louisville Health said ten patients were being treated at its hospitals. Two of those individuals are in critical condition in the Burn Unit, and the other eight are expected to survive.
A dramatic video captured the moment the plane crashed and burst into flames.
Footage captured of the plane’s takeoff and subsequent descent shows the plane lifting off with a fire visible on the left wing. It crashed moments later, sending a ball of fire and smoke into the air that was visible across Louisville.
In a press conference held Tuesday night, Governor Andy Beshear said that the UPS cargo plane was carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel and called the crash “catastrophic.”
A shelter-in-place was in effect while hundreds of firefighters fought the blaze. As of press time, the fire was nearly contained.
Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neill said that a “formal grid” would be created to aid the search for potential victims after the fire was extinguished.
“These are trained firefighters from all around the region that are handling this to search, grid by grid, very carefully to make sure if we can find any other victims,” the chief said.
28 members of the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to arrive on scene on Wednesday morning to begin their investigation.
Footage of the crash can be seen below. Viewer discretion is advised.
This is a developing story. Updates will be posted here as they become available.
