UPS Cargo Plane Crashes Near Louisville Airport
A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday.
Details of the Crash
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that UPS flight 2976, destined for Honolulu with three crew members onboard, went down around 5:15 p.m. Videos circulating show a fireball and a large plume of smoke following the crash, which occurred just a few miles from the airport. The wreckage caused a massive fire.
Casualties and Emergency Response
The death toll has reached at least nine, including confirmed fatalities on the ground, with numbers expected to rise. Local emergency teams are actively responding.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated, "First responders are on-site and working hard to extinguish the fire and continue the investigation."
Earlier in a press conference, Beshear said, "We do not, at the moment, have the status of the crew."
Crash Location and Hazards
Data from Flightradar24 indicates the plane crashed less than a minute after taking off from Runway 17R. Louisville airport public safety officer Jonathan Biven reported the crash site was three miles south of the airfield.
Governor Beshear confirmed there was "no specifically hazardous cargo" on board, but the fire remains intense with ongoing hazards in the area.
Fuel and Safety Concerns
Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O'Neill highlighted the danger, stating the aircraft carried approximately 38,000 gallons of fuel:
"So we're talking about a very, very dangerous situation," he said.
Summary
The crash of the UPS cargo plane near Louisville airport has caused multiple fatalities and a large fire, with emergency crews actively managing a hazardous situation fueled by a significant amount of jet fuel.