At least 12 people have died following the crash of a UPS cargo plane at Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky. Federal investigators have recovered the aircraft’s flight recorders, but the cause of the tragedy remains under investigation.

UPS Flight 2976 Crashes After Takeoff

UPS Flight 2976, a 31-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 wide-body cargo aircraft, crashed shortly after departing Louisville on Tuesday, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii. Authorities confirmed that 12 fatalities have been reported, with an additional 15 people from nearby buildings listed as missing.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said, “We believe that three of the confirmed fatalities are likely the crew, and nine others are unidentified at this time.”

Engine Detachment Captured on CCTV

CCTV footage from the airport revealed that the plane’s left engine detached from the wing during takeoff, sparking a fire. According to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman, the aircraft lifted off and briefly cleared the runway fence before crashing into surrounding buildings.

Inman said, “After being cleared for takeoff, a large plume of fire in the area of the left wing occurred during the takeoff roll. The plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of runway 17R.”

The engine was later found on the airfield, though investigators have yet to determine why it detached or how the wing caught fire.

Flight Data and Cockpit Voice Recorders Recovered

Investigators have retrieved the plane’s flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which are currently being analyzed in a lab. The NTSB has cautioned that it could be months before the full investigation is completed.

Destruction and Damage on the Ground

The plane’s crash caused an 800-meter trail of fire and destruction, hitting several local buildings, including a petroleum recycling facility and an auto parts company. Fortunately, a nearby Ford Motor factory and a convention center were spared.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear described the scene as “violent” and comparable to natural disasters, highlighting the scale of destruction. “Where the initial explosion happened, you have significant damage. And then, just a few feet away, some areas were barely affected,” Beshear said.

UPS Operations and Recovery

UPS has suspended operations at its Louisville facility but plans to reopen the airport hub soon. The hub, known as UPS Worldport, is a major global distribution center that processes millions of packages daily and handles over 300 cargo flights each day.

The NTSB and FAA continue to investigate the crash to determine the exact cause and assess any potential safety implications for other cargo flights.