Louisville, Kentucky – A devastating aviation disaster unfolded Tuesday afternoon when a United Parcel Service (UPS) cargo plane, identified as Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft flipped and exploded upon impact, leaving a trail of destruction and prompting an urgent response from emergency services.
The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time (US), according to initial reports from authorities and eyewitness accounts. As of Wednesday morning, the casualty toll stood at a minimum of nine confirmed dead and 11 injured, with officials warning that the numbers could rise as search and recovery efforts continue amid the wreckage.
UPS confirmed the flight was operated by one of its cargo aircraft, which was en route to an undisclosed destination. The airline issued a statement expressing profound sorrow: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and are cooperating fully with investigators. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash, with a team of experts already on site. Preliminary details suggest the plane encountered difficulties immediately after departing the runway, leading to the rapid sequence of flipping and explosion. Airport operations were temporarily halted, diverting incoming flights to nearby facilities.
Local residents described hearing a massive boom followed by plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site, located in a field adjacent to the airport. Firefighters battled intense flames for hours, while medical teams treated survivors at the scene before transporting them to area hospitals.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addressed the tragedy in a press conference, calling it “a heartbreaking day for our community.” He pledged state resources to support the federal probe and aid victims’ families.
This marks one of the deadliest cargo plane incidents in recent U.S. history, raising renewed questions about aviation safety protocols for freight operations. Further updates are expected as the NTSB releases findings from flight data recorders and witness interviews.
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