A tragic incident unfolded in Kentucky as a UPS cargo jet crashed and burst into flames, claiming the lives of 12 individuals. Investigators have revealed that the fatal crash occurred due to the engine separating from the aircraft during takeoff.
Details of the initial investigation emerged following the devastating crash at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, where the death toll eventually reached 12. Security footage from the airport captured the left engine of the 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 detaching from the wing as the plane accelerated down the runway. The aircraft then exploded in flames upon impact with nearby industrial structures.
During a briefing, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) official Todd Inman disclosed, “We have viewed airport CCTV security coverage, which shows the left engine detaching from the wing during the takeoff roll. After being cleared for takeoff, a large plume of fire in the area of the left wing occurred during the takeoff roll.”
Describing the extensive debris field that extended for around half a mile, Inman acknowledged the challenging search for survivors in the charred aftermath of the crash. Despite briefly gaining altitude, the aircraft failed to maintain flight and crashed beyond the airport perimeter, colliding with Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Autoparts, igniting a massive fire that illuminated the night sky.
In response to the tragic event, Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency to expedite assistance to the site. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed the rising death toll, which included three UPS crew members, multiple ground workers, and a child. Expressing deep sorrow, Greenberg stated, “I’m deeply saddened to share that the death toll has risen to 12, with several individuals still unaccounted for.” Additionally, 11 people sustained injuries in the incident.
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