At Least 7 Dead, 11 Injured in UPS Plane Crash and Explosion at Kentucky Airport

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A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball Tuesday while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11, authorities said.  The plane crashed about 5:15 p.m. as it was departing for Honolulu from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.  -- 👉 Original Documentary Library:  https://vimeo.com/user109504031/vod_pages - 🍀 Support NTD: https://donorbox.org/ntd  -- © All Rights Reserved.

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00:00A fiery cargo plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky

00:05has left at least seven people dead and around a dozen injured.

00:10The UPS jet was bound for Honolulu when it went down moments after takeoff.

00:15The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but here's what we know so far.

00:21It was just after 5 o'clock Tuesday evening when UPS Flight 2976,

00:25a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet lifted off from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

00:33Moments later, disaster.

00:34Eyewitness videos showed flames on the plane's left wing and a trail of smoke.

00:38The jet then crashing and exploding in a huge fireball in an industrial area just outside the airport.

00:44Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear last night confirmed the crash

00:47and said state and federal teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.

00:50At approximately 5.14 p.m. Eastern time tonight,

00:56UPS Flight 2976 from Louisville, Kentucky to Honolulu, Hawaii,

01:02an MD-11 with three crew members on board,

01:06was involved in a catastrophic crash here in Louisville adjacent to our airport.

01:13Beshear said the impact and explosion destroyed parts of nearby businesses in an industrial area,

01:17including a petroleum recycling facility and an auto parts shop.

01:22Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed fatalities early in the investigation,

01:26with first responders still coming through wreckage and debris.

01:29As of right now, we know there are four confirmed fatalities,

01:33and we believe there are additional fatalities as well,

01:36but we still have first responders who are actively searching the scene right now,

01:41so we will continue to provide more information on victims as it becomes available.

01:46That toll later rose to at least seven.

01:50Beshear said at least 11 were injured, some very significantly.

01:53The governor said the National Transportation Safety Board would be in charge of the investigation

01:57and asked residents to remain cautious near the crash zone.

02:01Beshear said the crash was especially violent

02:03and urged Kentuckians to support the families waiting for word on loved ones.

02:07Anybody who has seen the images and the video know how violent this crash is,

02:15and there are a lot of families that are going to be waiting and wondering for a period of time.

02:20We're going to try to get them that information as fast as we can,

02:24but if this is a family you know, please give them your support.

02:28Please give them your prayers.

02:30Please give them your love.

02:32Mayor Greenberg echoed that message, making special mention of the UPS workers.

02:36I send my prayers to our entire UPS family across Louisville and across the country.

02:44UPS is such an important part of our Louisville family,

02:48and we know it's a tough evening as it will be in the days ahead.

02:53UPS confirmed it has paused operations at its massive Worldport facility,

02:57which sorts over 400,000 packages an hour.

03:00We'll see you next time.

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