LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after its departure from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, sparking a substantial fire on the ground, according to reports from officials on Tuesday.
The crash occurred around 5:15 PM, as the aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 manufactured in 1991, was slated to fly to Honolulu. Eyewitness accounts shared on social media captured a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky, while local police confirmed that injuries were reported following the incident.
Initial video footage from television stations exhibited a dramatic scene with flames and smoke trailing from a parking lot, as fire trucks rushed to douse the resulting flames.
The Louisville Metro Police Department urged citizens to avoid the area, citing ongoing hazards with fire and debris. For safety measures, Louisville Metro Emergency Services issued a shelter-in-place order extending to all regions north of the airport to the Ohio River.
In a communication via social media, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed concern over the situation and noted that first responders are on-site. He urged the community to pray for the pilots, crew, and all individuals impacted by this unfortunate event, promising that more information would follow as it becomes available.
The crash occurred around 5:15 PM, as the aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 manufactured in 1991, was slated to fly to Honolulu. Eyewitness accounts shared on social media captured a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky, while local police confirmed that injuries were reported following the incident.
Initial video footage from television stations exhibited a dramatic scene with flames and smoke trailing from a parking lot, as fire trucks rushed to douse the resulting flames.
The Louisville Metro Police Department urged citizens to avoid the area, citing ongoing hazards with fire and debris. For safety measures, Louisville Metro Emergency Services issued a shelter-in-place order extending to all regions north of the airport to the Ohio River.
In a communication via social media, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed concern over the situation and noted that first responders are on-site. He urged the community to pray for the pilots, crew, and all individuals impacted by this unfortunate event, promising that more information would follow as it becomes available.
