A devastating aviation disaster has shaken the Louisville community, leaving families searching for answers and emergency crews working around the clock. The incident has highlighted the inherent risks of cargo aviation while demonstrating the swift response capabilities of local emergency services.
Tragic UPS Plane Crash Near Louisville Airport
At least 12 people lost their lives and more than a dozen others were injured after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff near Louisville International Airport on Tuesday evening. Officials confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the incident and has already recovered the aircraft’s black boxes for analysis.
Rising Death Toll and Missing Persons
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg warned that the death toll could rise as rescue crews continue searching for those unaccounted for. As of Wednesday night, at least 14 individuals remained missing. The UPS flight had three crew members onboard, though authorities have yet to confirm if they were among the victims.
Beshear noted that one of the casualties was believed to be a young child and declared a state of emergency as recovery efforts continued.
Victim Identification and Local Impact
None of the victims has been publicly identified, as the Jefferson County Coroner works to confirm their identities – a process that may require extensive testing due to the condition of some remains. The crash directly affected two nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling facility and an auto parts shop. The owner of the auto parts store, a friend of both Beshear and Greenberg, fears several employees and customers may have perished in the explosion.
Medical Response and Hospital Updates
UofL Health reported receiving 15 patients across its hospitals following the crash. Thirteen of them were discharged by Wednesday morning, while two remain in critical condition in the intensive care unit. Governor Beshear stated that as of Wednesday afternoon, there had been no change in their medical status.
Search and rescue efforts have now shifted to recovery operations, with teams focusing on stabilizing the crash zone.
Details of the Flight and Preliminary Findings
UPS Flight 2976 took off around 5:15 p.m. local time, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft crashed roughly three miles south of the airport after briefly reaching 175 feet in altitude. Officials said the plane carried about 38,000 gallons of fuel and up to 20,000 packages, causing a massive fireball visible for miles.
Preliminary reports suggest the left engine may have separated during takeoff, leading to catastrophic failure.
Ongoing Investigation and Emergency Response
The NTSB confirmed that the plane’s black boxes have been recovered and will be examined in Washington, D.C. despite sustaining heat damage. Over 200 emergency responders, including 100 firefighters, battled the blaze and stabilized the site. The debris field stretches nearly half a mile, complicating cleanup efforts.
Officials emphasized that no hazardous materials were onboard, but a shelter-in-place order remains for residents within a quarter-mile radius of the crash.
UPS Operations and Community Recovery
Louisville International Airport, which hosts UPS Worldport – the company’s largest air hub – was temporarily closed but reopened Wednesday morning. UPS briefly halted sorting operations and warned customers of potential package delays. The company operates around 25 MD-11 aircraft but has been phasing out the older model involved in the crash, built in 1991.
The Red Cross is assisting affected families, and an emergency relief fund has been established to support those impacted by this tragic event.