At Least Seven Dead After Cargo Aircraft Crashes In Kentucky

A cargo aircraft crashed during takeoff from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday evening, leaving at least seven people dead, according to the state’s governor.

Governor Andy Beshear stated that the plane’s three crew members were believed to be among those killed after the aircraft exploded shortly after departure at around 5:15 p.m. local time (10:15 p.m. GMT).

At least eleven others sustained injuries in the crash, which sent thick, dark smoke billowing into the air.

Authorities reported that several people suffered “very significant” injuries and warned that the number of fatalities could increase.

Two employees at an auto shop struck by the plane were still missing as of Tuesday night, and it was unclear how many customers had been inside when the crash occurred.

The company operating the flight confirmed that three crew members were on board, saying, “we have not confirmed any injuries/casualties.”

A preliminary investigation has been launched, but officials said it remains too soon to determine what led to the crash.

They noted, however, that the intense fire resulted from the large quantity of jet fuel the plane was carrying for its planned 4,300-mile (6,920-kilometre) flight to Hawaii.

The aircraft reportedly contained about 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel when it went down.

Officials have not disclosed the nature of the cargo, but confirmed that nothing onboard posed a heightened contamination threat.

The explosion spread to at least two nearby businesses, including one that handled petroleum materials. Initially, residents within five miles of the airport were told to shelter indoors due to possible secondary explosions and air quality concerns, though the order was later narrowed to a one-mile radius.

All outbound flights scheduled for Tuesday night were cancelled, according to an airport statement released on X.

Fire Chief Brian O’Neal said the large volume of fuel spilled at the crash scene created a “very dangerous situation.”

The shelter-in-place order was later reduced from a five-mile to a one-mile radius as emergency teams continued battling the blaze on Tuesday night.

During a press briefing, Beshear urged people to avoid the area of the crash.

“Anyone who has seen the images and the video knows how violent this crash is,” he said.

“There are still dangerous things that are flammable, that are potentially explosive.”

Beshear added that he would not “speculate” about the cause, explaining that the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) will lead the investigation.

The NTSB team is expected to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday.

Louisville’s police chief, Paul Humphrey, said the location will remain “an ongoing active scene for the next several days.”

He added: “We don’t know how long it’s going to take to render that scene safe for the investigation to take place.”

The downed aircraft was an MD-11F, a three-engine jet that first entered service 34 years ago as a passenger plane before being converted for cargo use in 2006.

The model was originally built by McDonnell Douglas, which later merged with another major aircraft manufacturer in 1997.

In 2023, both major cargo carriers operating in the United States announced plans to gradually retire their MD-11 fleets over the next decade as part of modernization efforts.

A statement from the aircraft manufacturer said it is “ready to support our customer” and that “our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected.” The company added that it would provide technical assistance to the NTSB.

Louisville serves as a major hub for global air cargo operations and is home to one of the largest package-handling facilities in the world.

At the press conference, city council member Betsy Ruhe described Louisville as a “UPS town,” emphasizing that nearly everyone in the community knows someone employed by the company.

“They’re all texting their friends, their family, trying to make sure everyone is safe,” she said.

The company said it was “terribly saddened” by the incident and confirmed that sorting operations at its Louisville hub had been paused for the night.

It added: “UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, and customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.”

State Senator Keturah Herron remarked, “Many of us watch our family members and loved ones pass through [Louisville airport] on a regular basis.”

In a message posted on X, Mayor Craig Greenberg described the crash as an “incredible tragedy that our community will never forget.”

He added: “We are so thankful for our brave first responders who have flooded the scene to help try and control the fire and provide support for any victims on the ground.”