Cargo Plane Crash Near US Airport Kills Nine
By Daniel J Ojukwu
Not fewer than nine people have died after a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded near the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, went down shortly after takeoff, bursting into flames and destroying nearby buildings.
Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the rising death toll on Wednesday, saying that “the number of those lost has now risen to at least nine, with the possibility of more.” He described the incident as heartbreaking and unimaginable, adding that several families were still missing loved ones.
According to reports, the cargo plane was heading to Hawaii when it crashed around 5:15 p.m. (local time), just three miles south of the airport. Witnesses said the aircraft hit a petroleum recycling facility, causing a huge explosion and thick smoke that could be seen miles away.
Emergency workers and firefighters were on site through the night, searching for victims and battling the blaze. “A significant search and rescue mission was underway overnight, which is continuing this morning,” Governor Beshear said.
A UPS spokesperson confirmed that three crew members were on board at the time of the crash. “We have not confirmed any injuries or casualties,” the company said in a statement. The crash is reported to be the deadliest in UPS history, leading the company to pause operations at its main hub in Louisville.
Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have begun investigations to determine the cause of the crash.
Aerial images from the scene showed a long trail of debris and fire crews spraying water on burning wreckage. Search teams continued to work into the morning as authorities warned the number of casualties could still rise.