At least three people were killed and 11 others injured after a UPS cargo plane crashed on Tuesday while taking off from Louisville International Airport en route to Hawaii, said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
“As of now, we believe there are at least three fatalities. I expect that number to rise. We also have at least 11 injuries — some of them very serious — currently being treated at local hospitals,” Beshear said during a press conference on Tuesday night.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, which reportedly had three crew members on board, crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time shortly after takeoff.
The crash produced thick black smoke that billowed high into the sky and could be seen from miles away.
Local media reported that the cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Footage from local news stations appeared to show the plane’s left engine catching fire as it attempted to take off.
Louisville serves as a major air hub for UPS in the United States, handling shipments to more than 200 countries. The company operates nearly 2,000 flights daily with a fleet of 516 aircraft, including 294 owned planes.
Aerial footage from the crash site showed scattered debris and firefighters dousing the wreckage to control the blaze.
The tragedy occurred amid one of the longest government shutdowns in U.S. history, which has raised concerns over staff shortages in air traffic control.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the crash as heartbreaking, urging the public to pray for the crew members and the Louisville community affected by the disaster.
