The death toll has risen to 12, with dozens others injured, after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, igniting a massive fire and leaving widespread destruction in a nearby industrial area.
According to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, the plane’s three crew members, in addition to nine others who have not yet been identified, are among the deceased.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, said at a press conference that one of the victims is believed to be a young child, and the Jefferson County Coroner is at the scene attempting to determine the identities of the victims, but said that will be “a little more difficult” due to the condition of the bodies. Two individuals who were hospitalized still remain in critical condition.
Officials said Wednesday that the left engine of the plane caught fire during takeoff and immediately detached. National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman said that investigators have recovered the cockpit flight recorder and the flight data recorder, in hopes of finding out more about the accident. Inman said that “the plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of runway 17 R. Shortly after clearing that fence, it made impact with structures and the terrain off of the airport property.”
The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter carrying about 38,000 gallons of fuel, went down around 5:15 p.m. local time shortly after takeoff, bound for Honolulu. Video footage showed one of the plane’s engines on fire moments before it crashed, triggering multiple explosions and a blaze that took more than six hours and 100 firefighters to extinguish.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, three crew members were aboard UPS Flight 2976, with the crash tearing through two nearby businesses — Grade A Auto Parts and Kentucky Petroleum Recycling — both located just beyond the airport’s perimeter. The recycling facility’s petroleum products may have fueled the explosion.
Sean Garber, who owns Grade A Auto Parts & Recycling, said four of his company’s 18 buildings were destroyed and that about 20 people were inside when the plane hit. “There was a huge ball of fire and massive multiple explosions occurring all around and obviously people running and screaming,” Garber said, adding that some employees “had to jump out windows” to escape.
Officials said at least 15 people were taken to hospitals across the city. University of Louisville Health reported that two remain in critical condition with burns and blast injuries. “As of this morning, 13 of those patients have been discharged,” spokesperson Heather Fountaine said.
Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency to speed aid and recovery efforts, noting that roughly 200 law enforcement officers and 18 fire departments responded to what he described as a “blazing inferno.” “There is a significant amount of resources in the search and rescue and, ultimately, what is probably by now the recovery effort that is occurring,” he said.
A temporary shelter-in-place order was issued within a five-mile radius of the crash but was later reduced to a quarter mile. About 135 homes and businesses in the area lost power. One nearby restaurant, Stooges Bar and Grill, narrowly escaped damage and has been assisting recovery crews.
Operations at the airport were halted Tuesday evening but resumed Wednesday morning with delays. “TSA screening remains ongoing this morning for departing passengers,” the airport said, advising travelers to monitor flight updates. Airport CEO Dan Mann reported that about 12% of flights were canceled.
Rep. Morgan McGarvey, who represents Louisville, said, “I’m heartbroken that we’ve now lost at least nine people in last night’s tragic plane crash. Please join me in lifting up their loved ones and all who are still waiting on news.” He described the aftermath as “apocalyptic,” with debris, fire, and smoke engulfing parts of the city.
UPS, headquartered in Louisville, said in a statement: “We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.”
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration plan to continue the investigation into the crash.
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