A fully fueled UPS plane carrying three crew members crashed while taking off from the Louisville, Ky., airport early Tuesday evening, causing a large fire and an unknown number or extent of injuries. Image courtesy of UPI
Nov. 4 (UPI) — At least three died and 11 were injured when a UPS aircraft crashed while taking off from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport early Tuesday night.
The numbers of dead and injured are expected to grow, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported.
The UPS aircraft crashed while taking off from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport early Tuesday evening, causing the airport to close temporarily.
UPS Flight 2976 took off shortly after 5 p.m. EST and was bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be leading the official investigation into the crash and UPS will release additional facts as they become available, the company said in a prepared statement.
The aircraft crashed while attempting to climb and exploded upon impact with the ground, which created a fire that spread about a mile and produced thick plumes of black and gray smoke, WLKY reported.
The Louisville Metropolitan Police Department said the crash has caused injuries, but how many are hurt and the extent of their injuries are not known yet.
The aircraft involved in the crash is a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, which is powered by three Pratt & Whitney PW4460 engines, each of which produces up to 60,000 pounds of thrust, according to the Delta Flight Museum.
The commercial jet has a range of up to 8,460 miles, a wingspan of more than 169 feet and is more than 200 feet long.
The aircraft was fully fueled for its long flight to Honolulu, which contributed to the large fire that spread to a nearby recycling center and other facilities, according to WLKY.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has been notified of the crash and is en route to the airport.
“We are aware of a reported plane crash near Louisville International Airport,” Beshear posted on social media, as reported by ABC News.
“First responders are on-site, and we will share more information as available,” Beshear added. “Please pray for the pilots, crew and everyone affected.”
While the airport is closed, Transportation Security Administration screenings are halted.
Passengers who are scheduled to depart from or arrive at the airport on Tuesday or Wednesday are advised to check on their respective flight statuses.
Update includes the number of dead and injured reported as of 8 p.m. EST.