UPS Cargo Plane Crashes Near Louisville Airport
A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that UPS flight 2976, bound for Honolulu with three crew members aboard, went down around 5:15 p.m.
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
Videos circulating show a large fireball and thick smoke resulting from the crash site, located just a few miles from the airport. The wreckage sparked a significant fire.
Officials confirmed at least nine fatalities, including deaths on the ground, with the total expected to rise.
"First responders are on-site and working hard to extinguish the fire and continue the investigation," Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote on X Tuesday night.
At a press conference earlier that evening, Beshear stated, "We do not, at the moment, have the status of the crew."
Location and Safety Concerns
Flightradar24 data indicates the plane crashed less than a minute after taking off from Runway 17R. Jonathan Biven, a public safety officer at Louisville airport, said the jet went down approximately three miles south of the airfield.
Governor Beshear noted in the press conference that no "specifically hazardous cargo" was aboard, but the fire and surrounding hazards remain a concern.
Emergency Response
Local and nearby fire and police departments have launched a large-scale emergency response.
Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O'Neill said the plane carried about 38,000 gallons of fuel, describing the situation as "very, very dangerous."
Authorities continue their efforts to control the fire and investigate the crash.
Summary: A UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville airport after takeoff, killing at least nine people and causing a major fire, with emergency teams working to contain hazards and investigate.