At least nine people are dead and several others are injured after a UPS cargo plane erupted into flames during takeoff in Kentucky on Tuesday. The aircraft plummeted to the ground in a fiery crash just as it began to depart Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. A video of the crash, which was captured by the airport’s surveillance camera, was shared online, showing the aircraft engulfed in fire seconds after leaving the ground.
In the footage, the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 can be seen lifting off before its left wing ignites. Immediately after the fire starts, the massive plane spirals back down onto the runway, and the plane skids across the tarmac. A trail of fire is left in its wake before the aircraft eventually explodes.
Reports say that the plane was bound for Honolulu with three crew members aboard. They are all presumed to be among the deceased. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that they have recorded at least nine people dead and eleven others injured. However, the casualty numbers are expected to rise, according to Beshear.
Investigations have since been launched by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to determine what caused the plane to catch fire and crash.
Following the incident, UPS released a statement, sending condolences to the families impacted by the tragedy. “We are terribly saddened by the accident,” the company said. “Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. We are engaged with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation and remain in close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration. We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts.”
The tragic event comes on the heels of bomb threats that disrupted operations at two major U.S. airlines in Washington, D.C., and New York. Both threats were investigated, and the planes were cleared by police.
