A UPS wide-body cargo plane bound for Honolulu crashed into a fireball shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, killing all three crew members aboard and four people on the ground. Officials confirmed that 11 others were injured in the industrial corridor adjacent to the runways.
The triple-engine aircraft, fueled for an 8½-hour flight, erupted into flames just before sunset. Video footage showed fire on one wing during takeoff, followed by a massive explosion as the plane hit the ground. Debris scattered across two runways forced airport operations to halt through the night.
A first responder at the site described the scene as one of the worst they had ever encountered. Flames ignited multiple buildings near the airport, prompting a shelter-in-place order for residents within an 8 km radius. Authorities expect to reopen the airport Wednesday morning after clearing debris.
Mayor Craig Greenberg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear both conveyed their condolences and noted that the death toll could rise as investigations continue. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have launched probes, focusing on why one engine separated before the crash and why the aircraft failed to stay airborne on two remaining engines.
This tragedy follows growing concerns about air safety in the U.S., amid staffing shortages caused by an ongoing government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had warned earlier of mass disruptions due to gaps in air traffic control. The industry is now watching how regulators and airlines respond to renewed questions about operational resilience and equipment maintenance.
As Louisville braces for further updates, global logistics and aviation communities are reminded of the critical importance of rigorous safety standards and contingency planning—especially for flights traversing long distances across remote stretches.
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At least seven killed after UPS cargo plane crashes in Kentucky, U.S.
cgtn.com
