LOUISVILLE, KY (LOOTPRESS) – A large UPS cargo plane carrying three people crashed and exploded Tuesday evening while taking off from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing at least three and injuring 11 others, according to officials.
The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. as the aircraft was departing for Honolulu, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reported that the number of casualties is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
Video footage showed flames coming from the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke as it attempted to lift off. The aircraft briefly left the ground before crashing back down and erupting into a massive fireball.
Nearby structures sustained damage, with one building’s roof visibly shredded near the end of the runway.
Emergency crews from multiple police and fire departments responded to the scene. Due to the intensity of the flames, some responders were forced to take cover, Beshear said.
UPS operates its largest air hub in Louisville, employing thousands of workers. The facility handles roughly 300 daily flights and sorts over 400,000 packages per hour.
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for all areas north of the airport extending to the Ohio River.
The airport is located just 10 minutes from downtown Louisville, an area surrounded by residential neighborhoods, museums, and a water park.
Federal investigators are expected to arrive on-site to determine the cause of the crash.
