Louisville, Kentucky — Authorities are investigating a catastrophic crash involving a UPS cargo aircraft that went down shortly after attempting takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport earlier today. The aircraft, a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11, was en route to Honolulu with three crew members on board: two pilots and a flight engineer.
According to early reports, the aircraft began experiencing a critical failure as it accelerated down the runway. Video captured by witnesses shows what appeared to be one—possibly two—of the plane’s engines emitting flames during the takeoff roll. Within moments, the situation escalated beyond recovery.
The plane failed to gain altitude and crashed just beyond the end of the runway, erupting into a massive fireball fueled by the large amount of fuel required for a flight to Hawaii. The crash site, described as a quarter-mile to half-mile stretch of burning debris, landed in an industrial zone containing warehouses and a recycling facility.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, battling intense flames and widespread wreckage. At this time, officials have not confirmed the condition of the crew or whether individuals on the ground were affected. Workers in nearby facilities were evacuated as fire crews worked to contain the blaze.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both announced that investigative teams are being deployed. Their focus will include engine failure, potential mechanical issues, and any other factors that contributed to the sudden catastrophe.
Local authorities have urged the public to avoid the area as emergency responders continue operations. More updates are expected as investigators begin analyzing flight data, maintenance records, and witness video.
