USA – Louisville UPS cargo plane crashes shortly after takeoff; at least 11 killed

A UPS cargo jet crashed moments after taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, leaving at least nine people dead and several others injured, local officials confirmed.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced early Wednesday that emergency crews responded immediately but could not save those on board. Several people on the ground were also hurt when the aircraft struck nearby buildings.

Timeline of the crash

The Federal Aviation Administration reported that UPS Flight 2976 left Louisville at about 5:15 p.m. local time. Minutes later, the aircraft went down not far from the airport, hitting two commercial properties in the surrounding area. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said two workers from those businesses remain unaccounted for.

Fire and emergency response

The crash sparked a large fire that sent thick, dark smoke into the air. Firefighters and rescue teams battled the flames into the night while attempting to gain control of the scene.

“First responders are on-site working aggressively to put out the fire and continue investigating what happened,” Beshear said. He added that air-quality monitoring equipment was brought in to ensure nearby neighborhoods remain safe.

Aircraft information and ongoing investigation

Officials identified the aircraft as a McDonnell Douglas MD-11. The jet was scheduled to continue on to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Federal investigators have begun reviewing what led to the crash, though the cause has not yet been determined.

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