Newly released footage captures the terrifying moment when a UPS aircraft’s wing caught fire just before the plane crashed and exploded in a devastating fireball. The UPS plane, carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel, erupted into flames shortly after departing from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. Tragically, nine individuals lost their lives in the crash, including four who were not onboard, with another 11 sustaining injuries, two of them critically.
A dramatic video recorded during take-off shows the left wing of the aircraft emitting smoke as it struggles to ascend before crashing to the ground moments later, engulfing the vicinity in flames. Aviation attorney Pablo Rojas noted that based on the footage, the aircraft seemed to be experiencing difficulty gaining altitude due to a fire near one of its engines. With the substantial fuel load onboard, an explosion or rapid fire growth was inevitable once the fire initiated.
Former Department of Transportation inspector general Mary Schiavo observed that the engine appeared to detach from the plane before the final impact and ensuing fireball. The crash involving a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F aircraft has prompted investigations by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the accident’s cause.
The crash caused significant damage to a nearby fuel recycling business, while a car parts establishment was also struck by debris. Firefighters worked tirelessly overnight to contain the blaze across a wide area, establishing a search grid for potential victims. The airport remained closed early on Wednesday, with a prolonged closure expected.
Louisville Police Chief Paul Humphrey expressed uncertainty about the time needed to secure the crash site, emphasizing safety concerns. Fire chief Brian O’Neill confirmed that the plane triggered secondary explosions upon hitting fuel tanks at the recycling center, leading to ruptures in propane and oil storage tanks. He highlighted the occurrence of small additional explosions from some of the tanks.
The incident has raised critical safety questions, underscoring the imperative for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragic crash.