A UPS cargo plane's left wing caught fire and an engine fell off just before it crashed and exploded after takeoff in Kentucky, a federal official reported. This tragic incident, which occurred at the UPS Worldport global aviation hub in Louisville, led to the deaths of at least 12 people, including a child. The grim news was shared by Governor Andy Beshear, who noted that finding survivors was unlikely as first responders searched the charred crash area.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation, stated that a significant fire began in the left wing shortly after the plane was cleared for takeoff. Todd Inman, an NTSB member, emphasized that investigators are focused on determining the cause of the fire and the reason for the engine detachment. It may take them over a year to arrive at conclusive findings.
According to reports, the plane managed to ascend sufficiently to clear a fence at the runway's end before it crashed outside Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Airport security footage reportedly captured the moment the left engine detached during the takeoff roll. Both the cockpit voice recorder and data recorder have been recovered, and the fallen engine was located on the airfield. However, Inman described a debris field that spanned half a mile, indicating extensive wreckage from the aircraft.
The plane, which was carrying three crew members, crashed around 5:15 p.m. on a Tuesday while departing for Honolulu from UPS Worldport. The aftermath of the crash was catastrophic, sparking smaller explosions at Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and damaging an auto salvage yard, Grade A Auto Parts. Governor Beshear confirmed that the deceased child was at the auto parts business with a parent during the incident.
Beshear highlighted that it was fortunate the aircraft did not strike a nearby Ford Motor factory or convention center. Eyewitnesses recounted the chaotic scene, with some initially fearing an attack due to the sudden explosion and smoke. Summer Dickerson, who worked nearby, recalled the terrifying moment when she heard the boom, while bartender Kyla Kenady described seeing the plane engulfed in flames as it descended.
The death toll announced by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg increased to 12, with widespread concern from the community. The governor mentioned that authorities were searching for "a handful of other people" but viewed additional survivors as unlikely. Mark Little, chief of the Okolona Fire District, alerted that the search and recovery of debris would be a lengthy process.
University of Louisville Hospital reported that two individuals were in critical condition in the burn unit, with another 18 people treated and released following the incident. The airport, located approximately 7 miles from downtown Louisville, resumed operations on Wednesday, with one runway being operational.
Although the status of the three crew members aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11, built in 1991, remains uncertain, it has not been confirmed whether they are included in the death toll. UPS expressed its sorrow over the incident, stating they were "terribly saddened" by the tragic loss. The Louisville facility is the largest package handling hub for UPS, employing over 20,000 individuals and managing around 300 flights daily while sorting more than 400,000 packages each hour.
Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, suggested multiple factors could have led to the left wing's fire as the aircraft was taking off. He speculated whether the engine's partial detachment might have damaged fuel lines or if a fuel leak ignited and caused the engine to burn off. Furthermore, Guzzetti noted similarities between this crash and a tragic incident in 1979 when an American Airlines jet's engine fell off shortly after takeoff from Chicago, resulting in the deaths of 273 people. Both planes were equipped with similar General Electric engines and underwent heavy maintenance shortly prior to their respective crashes.
The UPS plane's flight records indicate it was grounded in San Antonio from September 3 to October 18, yet details surrounding maintenance performed during that period remain unclear and whether such work contributed to the crash.
