LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – A UPS (UPS.N) MD-11 cargo plane crashed in a fireball moments after taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, killing all three crew members aboard and four people on the ground. Eleven others were injured, authorities said.

The plane, bound for Honolulu, erupted in flames shortly after takeoff, igniting fires across an adjacent industrial corridor and forcing the airport to suspend operations overnight. The aircraft, 34 years old, was fueled for an 8½-hour flight and had previously flown from Louisville to Baltimore the same day.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed four ground fatalities and noted the death toll could rise due to ongoing fires. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear described injuries as “very significant” and cautioned the public about air-quality hazards near the crash site.

Video footage showed flames on the plane’s wing during takeoff and the fireball upon impact. FAA records indicate the MD-11 freighter, operated by UPS since 2006, climbed to 175 feet before a sharp descent. Investigators are examining why one engine appeared to separate from the aircraft before the crash, with safety expert John Cox noting that the plane should have been able to fly on two engines.

UPS, which operates its global Worldport hub in Louisville, stated that delivery schedules for airborne and international packages may be affected. The NTSB will lead the investigation, which typically takes 12–24 months to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations.