Tragedy in Kentucky: UPS Cargo Plane Crash Claims 12 Lives
A devastating scene unfolded in Louisville, Kentucky, when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing at least 12 people and leaving several others injured or missing. The crash happened on Tuesday evening as the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, operating as UPS Flight 2976, was departing for Honolulu.
According to federal investigators, the left engine of the plane detached during takeoff, sparking a massive fire on the left wing. Airport CCTV footage confirmed that the engine fell off just seconds before the plane lifted off the runway. Despite briefly gaining altitude, the aircraft couldn’t maintain flight and crashed near the airport’s perimeter, bursting into flames upon impact.
Witnesses described a terrifying sight. One bartender working near the site said she saw the plane descending in flames and immediately ran for safety, shouting that a plane was crashing. Others nearby recalled multiple explosions that shook buildings and filled the air with thick smoke and burning fuel. “It felt like we were being bombed,” one local said, describing the shock that rippled through the community.
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- Tragedy in Louisville: UPS Cargo Plane Crash Leaves 12 Dead
Governor Andy Beshear, who visited the crash site, called the scene “violent,” comparing it to the aftermath of a tornado or flood. He confirmed that 12 people had died, including a child who was reportedly at a nearby auto parts business with a parent when the crash occurred. The wreckage also caused fires and explosions at Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, both close to the airport. Miraculously, a nearby Ford factory and convention center were not hit.
Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have recovered both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder, often referred to as the “black boxes.” These devices are expected to provide crucial clues about what caused the catastrophic failure. The detached engine was also found on the airfield, though officials have yet to determine why it separated from the wing of the 31-year-old plane.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed that at least 12 people were killed and several more are still unaccounted for. Hospitals in the area treated multiple victims, with two reported to be in critical condition. The cleanup and investigation are expected to take weeks, as the debris field stretches nearly half a mile.
UPS, in a statement, said it was “terribly saddened” by the tragedy and temporarily suspended operations at its Louisville Worldport facility — one of the company’s largest global hubs, processing hundreds of flights daily.
As the community mourns, investigators are piecing together the final moments of Flight 2976. While it may take months before the exact cause is known, one thing is clear — this tragic event has left a lasting mark on Louisville and the families affected by it.
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