A UPS cargo plane crash turned tragic in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday evening, leaving seven people dead and 11 injured. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 jet caught fire moments after takeoff from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport around 5:15 p.m.
Video footage showed flames on the left wing as the plane struggled to lift before exploding into a massive fireball. Four of the victims were on the ground when the crash occurred, officials confirmed.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear described the scene as “violent” and said several injured people had critical burns. The status of the three crew members remains unclear.
UPS halted all package sorting at its Louisville hub, which handles over 400,000 packages per hour. Nearby businesses, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, were also hit by debris and fire.
Witnesses compared the explosion to a war zone. One restaurant worker said people fled in panic after hearing the blast.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken over the investigation. The airport remains closed until authorities declare the area safe.
