A UPS MD-11 cargo plane crashed shortly after taking off near Louisville, Kentucky, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The incident occurred around 5 p.m. local time. The flight was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now in charge of the investigation.
Three crewmembers were aboard the plane, and as of now, there are no confirmed reports of injuries. However, local police have indicated there may be injuries among those on the ground.
Videos show a large cloud of black smoke billowing into the sky near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, the main hub for UPS operations. The airport processes over two million packages a day at its extensive Worldport facility.
Authorities have issued a shelter-in-place order for areas within five miles of the airport. Police have closed Grade Lane between Stooges and Crittenden indefinitely due to the crash.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, which was involved in the crash, is a well-known cargo plane that began its service in the 1990s. Initially popular as a passenger aircraft, many of these jets were converted into freighters as fuel costs rose. They can take off with a maximum weight of 633,000 pounds and carry more than 38,000 gallons of fuel.
According to the FAA, there has been a significant uptick in cargo plane operations during the past few years. The industry saw a 4% increase in air cargo volume last year alone, driven largely by e-commerce demands. This incident underscores the importance of safety in this busy sector.
For more details on air safety and regulations, you can visit the FAA’s website.
