A terrifying scene erupted Tuesday evening near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport when a UPS cargo plane crashed just after takeoff, igniting massive flames and prompting officials to issue a shelter-in-place order for residents within a five-mile radius. The fiery accident, occurring around 5:15 p.m., sent thick black smoke across the Kentucky skyline and plunged parts of the city into chaos as first responders scrambled to contain the disaster.
The aircraft, UPS Flight 2976—a McDonnell Douglas MD-11—had departed Louisville en route to Honolulu when it went down moments after leaving the runway. Witnesses described deafening explosions followed by a fireball lighting up the evening sky. “It shook the ground,” said local resident Anna McMullen. “When I looked outside, all I saw was black smoke rolling over the horizon.”
Emergency dispatchers were flooded with calls. Louisville police, firefighters, paramedics, and airport response teams rushed to the scene, with federal investigators on standby. “This is an active scene with fire and debris,” police warned on social media. “Please stay away.”
Authorities confirmed multiple injuries, though details about fatalities remain unclear. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched a joint investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear urged calm, stating, “First responders are on-site, and we will share updates as soon as possible. Please keep the pilots, crew, and families affected in your thoughts.”
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