A UPS cargo plane plummeted from the sky shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, igniting a massive fireball that illuminated the Kentucky landscape.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, designated flight 2976, was bound for Honolulu when the catastrophic event unfolded around 5:15 p.m. Initial reports indicate three crew members were onboard.
Dramatic aerial footage quickly surfaced, showcasing a raging inferno consuming the wreckage. The scene was described by authorities as active, filled with fire and scattered debris across a wide area.
Local police immediately warned residents to avoid the intersection of Fern Valley and Grade Lane, located south of the airport, a critical hub for UPS operations. A shelter-in-place order was issued for a five-mile radius surrounding the crash site.
The impact sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an urgent response from emergency services. The full extent of injuries remains unclear, and the possibility of fatalities is under investigation.
Witnesses reported a terrifying scene as the plane went down, with the sudden burst of flames visible for miles. The incident has triggered a major investigation into the cause of the crash.
Authorities are working diligently to secure the area and assess the damage. The focus now shifts to understanding the sequence of events that led to this devastating accident and providing support to those affected.
