A United Parcel Service (UPS) cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky, killing at least 12 people. The crash happened after the plane’s left engine detached shortly after takeoff, according to officials. The aircraft then crashed into nearby buildings and terrain, setting off fires and scattering debris.
The plane was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter heading to Honolulu. It took off from UPS’s main hub in Louisville but only climbed about 175 feet before the engine came off. Video reviewed by investigators showed the engine separating from the plane just before it went down. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed the death toll reached a dozen, with some people still missing. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said rescue efforts had shifted to recovery, and they do not expect to find anyone else alive.
The MD-11 involved is a 34-year-old aircraft originally built for Thai Airways but converted to a freighter about 20 years ago. It’s powered by three General Electric CF6 engines. The plane had recently returned to Louisville after a long maintenance period in San Antonio, Texas. UPS paused second-day air package sorting at the facility following the crash.
UPS shared its condolences and said it is cooperating with the investigation. The company hasn’t confirmed if their staff were among those killed. Boeing, which owns McDonnell Douglas, is providing technical support to investigators.
This crash comes during a busy time for US aviation, amid delays caused by air traffic controller shortages since the government shutdown started earlier this month. The Transportation Secretary announced a planned 10% reduction in air capacity at major airports starting Friday to help ease congestion.
In the past year, several fatal aviation incidents have occurred globally. These include a cargo plane crashing at Hong Kong airport, killing two ground workers, a deadly Air India flight crash in June, and earlier this year, a collision near Washington National Airport between a US Army helicopter and a commercial jet.
UPS has faced deadly accidents before, including a 2010 crash near Dubai and another in Alabama in 2013. Both involved cargo flights and resulted in fatalities.
Officials have recovered the plane’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders, which could help explain exactly what happened. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the cause behind this tragic event.