Federal investigators say at least twelve people have now been confirmed dead following the crash of a UPS cargo plane near Louisville late Tuesday night, a disaster that left a fiery half-mile trail of destruction through a commercial district not far from the city’s airport. Among the victims were three members of the flight crew and a child, authorities said Wednesday.
The aircraft, heavily fueled for a long-haul cargo flight, erupted into a fireball seconds after takeoff. Officials say the jet was carrying roughly 38,000 gallons of aviation fuel at the time of the crash. The resulting explosions shook nearby businesses and lit up the sky, sending thick black smoke billowing above the area.
A local worker who witnessed the crash said the shockwave was so strong it knocked him to the ground. “It felt like the whole building jumped,” he said.
At least eleven others on the ground were injured, many suffering burns and blast-related trauma. Emergency crews worked through the night battling flames and searching the debris field.
Investigation Continues
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the plane’s left engine detached in midair, and investigators later located it on airport property. A cause for the detachment has not yet been determined.
Both flight data recorders — commonly known as “black boxes” — have been recovered and are now being analyzed in Washington, D.C. Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage showing the aircraft igniting and descending before impact.
The FBI is assisting the NTSB at the crash site. Officials say the extensive destruction has complicated recovery efforts, with twisted metal and scattered cargo pieces stretching over several blocks.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency early Wednesday as the response shifted from search operations to recovery.
Impact on UPS Operations
The crash struck close to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, home to UPS’s largest global air hub. The facility typically handles more than 400,000 packages per hour during peak operation.
Air traffic there has resumed on a limited basis, but authorities said significant delays and temporary routing adjustments are expected as cleanup continues.
Aircraft Maintenance History
According to FAA maintenance records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the plane was 34 years old and had recently undergone major repairs. The aircraft had reportedly been grounded for more than a month last fall due to a crack in its fuel tank, which required a critical fix before returning to service.
Federal investigators will be examining whether those repairs — or any related structural or mechanical concerns — played a role in the crash.
UPS Responds
UPS CEO Carole Tomé issued a message to employees expressing condolences and support for the families affected.
After sharing an initial statement on Tuesday, UPS CEO Carole Tomé sent a message to employees, expressing sympathies and support for those impacted. The company said it will share more details on the crash as they become available.
