By David Shepardson and Chris Thomas
At least seven people were killed after a UPS wide-body cargo plane crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, erupting into a massive fireball shortly after takeoff, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear says.
"We've got some initial numbers, but let me tell you I expect them to grow," Beshear said.
The plane had three crew members on board, according to UPS, and federal officials said all were feared dead.
Television channel WLKY, a CBS affiliate, showed video footage of the crash as it occurred. The plane took off with fire on one wing, and a huge fireball erupted as it hit the ground. Several buildings in an industrial area beyond the runway were on fire after the crash, with thick black smoke rising into the evening sky.
Smoke rises from the site of a UPS cargo plane crash near the UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Photo: AFP / LEANDRO LOZADA
"UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5.15pm local time on Tuesday (Wednesday NZT) after departing from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky," the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. The plane was en route to Honolulu, it said.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services said it had issued a shelter-in-place order for all locations within five miles (8 kilometres) of the airport.
"There are multiple injuries and the fire is still burning. There are many road closures in the area - please avoid the scene," Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg said in a social media post.
Crash involved 34-year-old plane
FAA records show the plane involved in the crash, an MD-11 freighter, was 34 years old. Boeing, which shut down the MD-11 program after acquiring it in its merger with McDonnell Douglas, said it was concerned for the safety and well-being of all those affected, and it would provide technical support to the investigation.
Flightradar24 said the plane, which began operations with UPS in 2006, had flown from Louisville to Baltimore earlier on Tuesday before returning to Louisville. The flight from Louisville to Honolulu typically takes eight and a half hours, the flight tracking service said.
The aircraft climbed to an altitude of 175 feet (53 metres) and reached a speed of 184 knots (340km/h) before making a sharp descent, according to data from Flightradar24.
UPS said it had yet to confirm any injuries or casualties due to the accident.
Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Photo: Stephen Cohen / Getty Images via AFP
A National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said it would be leading the investigation and it was sending a team to the site.
The NTSB typically takes 12 to 24 months to complete an investigation, make a finding of probable cause and issue recommendations to help avoid similar incidents.
The Louisville airport is home to UPS Worldport, a global hub for the delivery firm's air cargo operations and its largest package handling facility in the world.
The Louisville airport said the airfield was closed after the incident. The crash will likely disrupt deliveries for UPS, and its major customers including Amazon, Walmart and the United States Postal Service. Walmart and Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- Reuters
