A tragic aviation incident unfolded near the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky just after 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday, when a UPS freight transport aircraft—an MD-11—crashed shortly after takeoff. Videos captured by CNN affiliate WAVE showed a massive plume of black smoke rising not far from the tarmac, indicating the severity of the disaster.
The crash resulted in reported fatalities and significant injuries. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that there are at least three reported fatalities, cautioning that he believes “that number is going to get larger.” Additionally, at least 11 injuries have been confirmed, with some described as “very significant.” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg noted that the fire was still burning as every emergency agency rushed to respond to the scene.
The MD-11 cargo plane, operating as UPS flight 2976, was carrying three crew members at the time of the crash. Governor Beshear addressed the uncertain status of the crew, expressing deep concern for the impacted families. Given the sheer violence evident in the crash site images, he acknowledged that “there are a lot of families that are going to be waiting and wondering for a period of time.”
The incident has prompted a full-scale federal inquiry. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are jointly investigating the crash. The NTSB will take the lead on the investigation, working to determine the cause of the catastrophic event.