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At least seven people were killed after a cargo plane ran off its runway and caught fire in Kentucky on Tuesday morning.
UPS-operated aircraft was operating a burning aircraft that crashed mid-takeoff and hit multiple buildings during takeoff. Officials anticipate that more deaths and injuries may result.
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Here is what we know so far: where exactly did it happen, and which structures were affected.
Getty Images/Shutterstock | McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Cargo Plane in UPS livery at Louisville Worldport facility in 2022 (file photo).
Where did the crash happen and what was hit?
UPS Flight 2976, an MD-11F cargo plane operated by UPS, crashed during its takeoff attempt at Louisville International Airport at around 17:15 local time on Tuesday at approximately 17:15, skidding off the runway and striking nearby buildings before coming to a halt.
An aircraft crashed and ignited, engulfing at least two nearby businesses with its debris, according to state governor Andy Beshear. Kentucky Petroleum Recycling was “struck fairly directly”, while Grade A Auto Parts also suffered significant impacts from this event.
Unverified footage from the incident shows a plane was already burning when it careened off of the runway and careened into two businesses nearby, before collapsing and crashing into both.
A map graphic showing where UPS flight 2976 took before collapsing and hitting both businesses can be seen below.
Flames spread to several buildings near the runway and authorities began an intensive effort to stop further spread.
Nearby residents were told to remain indoors due to concerns of additional explosions and air pollution at Kentucky’s largest airport, located within several neighborhoods and business districts of Louisville.
All operations at the airport have been suspended as a precautionary measure.
How many people have been killed or injured?
So far, seven deaths have been confirmed as of right now with many more expected to come in later, as per the officials.
It is unknown whether that number includes three crew members believed dead onboard the plane; 11 people have been injured so far, but local officials expect that number to increase further.
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The head of the local fire service stated he had no knowledge of anyone being trapped inside nearby structures but indicated searches are ongoing.
Two workers at the auto business that was struck were still missing as of Tuesday evening and it is unknown how many customers were present when the crash took place.
What caused the collision?
For that matter, at least seven people died as UPS cargo plane crashes occurred across Kentucky on April 12 and 13.
Courier Journal via Reuters Smoke can be seen rising after an UPS plane crashed at Louisville International Airport and preliminary investigations are currently under way; however, authorities have stated it is too soon to say what caused this tragedy.
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After taking off from its initial take off point, this aircraft reached 175ft before suddenly plummeting back down.
Although no cause could be pinpointed for its demise, video shows part of its wing igniting during this descent.
Officials did confirm, however, that the cause of the fire was due to too much fuel onboard the aircraft – it had begun its journey of approximately 4,300 miles (6,920km). When it crashed it had carried 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres).
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As yet, officials have yet to establish exactly what cargo was onboard the plane; however, officials have said there should not be anything that poses an elevated risk of contamination. Brian O’Neal from Louisville Fire Department noted the amount of fuel spilled at the crash site made it a “very dangerous situation”.
Warnings were reduced from five-miles out to one-mile as crews worked to contain the fire on Tuesday night.
The aircraft involved was an MD-11F triple-engine plane which first entered service 34 years ago.
