Newly released footage captures the frightening moment when a UPS plane’s wing caught fire just before the aircraft crashed and exploded in a massive fireball. The incident occurred shortly after the plane, carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel, departed from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. The crash resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including four who were not on board, with 11 others sustaining injuries, two of whom are in critical condition.
In a dramatic video taken during take-off, the plane’s left wing can be seen emitting smoke before rapidly descending and crashing, engulfing the area in flames upon impact. Aviation attorney Pablo Rojas commented that the aircraft appeared to struggle to gain altitude with a fire on its left side near one of its engines. Given the substantial fuel load, the fire posed a significant risk of explosion or rapid escalation.
Former Department of Transportation inspector general Mary Schiavo noted that the engine seemed to detach from the aircraft before the final impact and subsequent fireball. Authorities have launched an investigation led by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the crash, involving a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F aircraft.
The crash site, which included a fuel recycling business and a car parts business, witnessed intense firefighting efforts throughout the night, with firefighters establishing a search grid for potential victims. The airport remained closed, with authorities anticipating a prolonged closure for safety measures. Fire chief Brian O’Neill confirmed secondary explosions from the plane hitting fuel tanks at the recycling center, causing ruptures in propane and oil storage tanks.
Louisville Police Chief Paul Humphrey expressed uncertainty about the timeline for securing the scene, emphasizing the complexity of the situation. Ongoing investigations and cleanup efforts are underway to ensure public safety and assess the full extent of the incident.