A massive fire broke out in a US city earlier today following a UPS cargo plane crash and explosion during takeoff. The tragic incident occurred at Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky, resulting in at least nine fatalities and another 11 individuals sustaining severe injuries. The death toll is feared to potentially increase as authorities continue their investigation.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, manufactured in 1991, caught fire on its left wing before crashing around 5:15 pm local time. The plane was en route to Hawaii from the UPS Worldport facility in Louisville. Several unanswered questions remain regarding the crash, including the identities of the victims and the exact cause of the tragedy, which is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Videos of the takeoff reveal flames and smoke emanating from the aircraft’s left wing before it crashed and exploded in a fireball. Local residents reported hearing multiple explosions, with one video capturing a building ablaze at the end of the airport’s runway. The crash impacted a fuel recycling business and a car parts establishment.
Aviation expert Pablo Rojas noted that the aircraft appeared to struggle to gain altitude amidst the wing fire, emphasizing the significant fuel load on the plane that exacerbated the explosion. The FAA and NTSB plan to analyze data from the aircraft’s black box recorder to determine the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
UPS confirmed that three crew members were on board, all of whom are currently unaccounted for. Residents in the vicinity were advised to seek shelter due to the spreading flames. UPS expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured cooperation with the ongoing investigations and response efforts.
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