Link to At least seven people killed and 11 injured as a cargo aircraft crashes shortly after takeoff from Louisville airport. Dozens of safety investigators deployed to determine the causeAt least seven people killed and 11 injured as a cargo aircraft crashes shortly after takeoff from Louisville airport. Dozens of safety investigators deployed to determine the cause
Federal air safety officials have launched an in-depth investigation into the tragic crash of a UPS cargo plane near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport that killed at least seven people and injured 11 others. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff on Tuesday at around 5:15 p.m. local time, erupting into a massive fireball and leaving a trail of destruction.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane was en route to Honolulu and had three crew members on board. However, four of the victims were on the ground, said Brian O’Neill, chief of the Louisville Fire Department.
Videos captured by witnesses showed flames emerging from the aircraft’s left wing before it slammed into the ground and exploded. Residents nearby reported hearing loud booms and seeing thick black smoke rising into the sky. Experts believe the aircraft's fuel load contributed to the massive explosion.
“We’re dealing with a tragic loss of life,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who warned that the death toll could still rise. The UofL Health hospital system confirmed it is treating 10 patients, with two in critical condition at the burn center.
In response, 28 investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been dispatched to comb through the crash site and examine flight data, wreckage, and other potential evidence. The public has been urged to avoid moving any debris, as even small fragments could be crucial to understanding what went wrong.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg asked residents to use a newly created form to report any debris found in yards or streets: “Please do not touch or move anything. It may be critical to the investigation.”
While UPS has stated that no hazardous materials were on board, the crash raises serious concerns about the safety of cargo operations at Louisville — one of the busiest hubs for the shipping giant, handling over 300 flights per day.
Aviation experts have started analyzing early footage of the crash. Mary Schiavo, former Inspector General for the Department of Transportation, told CNN that preliminary evidence suggests a possible engine detachment before impact. “The engine appears to have come off mid-air, and that could have severed key components like fuel lines. At that point, the pilots had no chance,” she said.
Following the crash, numerous flights at Louisville’s airport were delayed or canceled. An initial shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area has since been narrowed to a quarter-mile radius around the crash site.
As investigators begin piecing together the chain of events, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in air cargo transport — even on seemingly routine flights.
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati