Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
At least 11 people were killed when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday, erupting into a massive fireball after one of its engines detached from the wing, officials said. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and recovery operations continue.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the number of confirmed fatalities may climb to 12 as crews comb through wreckage spread across what officials described as “a very large field of debris.”
“We believe that one of the victims was a child a young child which makes this tragedy all the more devastating,” Beshear said at a press conference. He has declared a state of emergency to assist in the response and recovery.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called the disaster “unimaginable” and said rescue teams are still working to locate missing persons. “There are no words that I can offer to the families still waiting for information about loved ones they fear may have been near the crash site,” he said. “We are doing everything possible to find every victim.”
Engine Separation Moments Before Crash
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), preliminary evidence shows that the left engine of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter separated from the aircraft moments after liftoff.
NTSB board member Todd Inman said security footage captured the engine detaching during the takeoff roll, followed by “a large plume of fire” from the left wing. “The plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of runway 17R,” Inman said. “Shortly after clearing that fence, it made impact with nearby structures and terrain off airport property.”
The flight, designated UPS 2976, was bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu and was carrying roughly 220,000 pounds nearly 38,000 gallons of jet fuel for the long-distance journey. The Federal Aviation Administration reported the crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time, about three miles south of the runway.
Video footage circulating on social media showed the plane engulfed in flames moments before impact, followed by a massive explosion that lit up the early evening sky.
Damage on the Ground and Ongoing Search
Two nearby businesses sustained severe damage. Kentucky Petroleum Recycling was “hit directly,” Beshear said, while Grade A Auto Parts was also struck by debris. Two employees from the latter business remain unaccounted for. “It may be some time before we can account for everyone or know that no one else was on the grounds,” the governor added.
Okolona Fire Protection District Chief Mark Little said recovery operations are expected to continue “for at least a week or longer,” noting that debris from the aircraft extends over half a mile. The Jefferson County coroner’s office is working to identify the victims.
The University of Louisville Health system said it received 15 patients from the incident, including two who remain in critical condition in its burn center.
“Louisville looked apocalyptic last night,” said Congressman Morgan McGarvey, describing the scale of the blaze and damage.
Black Boxes Recovered, Investigation Underway
The NTSB confirmed Wednesday that both flight recorders the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder—have been recovered and will be sent to Washington, D.C., for analysis. Investigators are also examining the detached engine and maintenance records to determine what caused the catastrophic separation.
While officials have not yet identified a probable cause, they emphasized that the MD-11 freighter’s left engine failure occurred seconds before impact. “We will analyze every bit of what happened,” McGarvey said. “Nothing will be left unexplored.”
The FBI is assisting in the investigation, though officials have stressed there is no indication of foul play. A preliminary NTSB report is expected within several weeks, but the full investigation could take months.
Impact on Airport Operations
The crash forced a temporary shutdown of operations at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, home to UPS Worldport, the company’s global air hub and one of the largest package-handling facilities in the world. UPS said the facility would remain closed on Wednesday out of respect for the victims and to allow investigators full access to the site.
Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes Wednesday due to a shelter-in-place order following the explosion but announced plans to reopen Thursday after officials confirmed air and water quality were safe.
As investigators sift through the wreckage and families await word on missing loved ones, Governor Beshear promised continued state support: “This community is grieving, but it will also rally together. We owe it to every victim to find answers and to make sure this never happens again.”
