UPS cargo plane crashes near Louisville airport

At least three people were killed and 11 others injured when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville International Airport in Kentucky, officials said.

Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the casualties, warning that the death toll could rise. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, bound for Hawaii, caught fire as it struck several commercial buildings near the airport, sending a massive column of black smoke into the sky, CE Report quotes ANSA.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time. Beshear said the condition of the three crew members aboard remains unknown and expressed concern for their safety.

UPS stated that it had not yet confirmed any injuries or fatalities among its employees. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the cause of the crash.

Footage aired by WLKY-TV appeared to show the left engine of the aircraft on fire during takeoff. Aerial images from the scene revealed extensive debris and ongoing firefighting efforts.

Governor Beshear said the plane appeared to have hit a petroleum recycling facility directly. Louisville serves as UPS’s primary U.S. air hub, with the company operating nearly 2,000 daily flights worldwide using a fleet of over 500 aircraft.