At Least Seven Dead, Several Injured After UPS Cargo Plane Crashes Near Louisville International Airport
A devastating crash has occurred at the Louisville International Airport, leaving at least seven people dead and several others injured. The incident happened on Tuesday evening when a UPS cargo plane, identified as UPS Flight 2976, crashed near the airport.
According to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, an initial assessment shows that 11 people were hurt in the accident, with four of those killed not even being on board the plane at the time of the crash. The governor also reported that two employees from a nearby business, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, are unaccounted for and their whereabouts are currently unknown.
Aerial footage captured by CBS affiliate WLKY News shows a large area beyond an airport runway seemingly set ablaze by the crash. All flights arriving in and departing from the airport were temporarily suspended following the incident.
Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, which was struck directly by debris from the plane, has reported damage to their facility. The nearby Ford Louisville Assembly Plant also suffered power outages due to the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that UPS Flight 2976 was on a flight to Honolulu when it crashed. However, officials have not yet released information about the cause of the crash.
"It looks like they were hit pretty directly" Beshear stated in an update shortly before 8 p.m. EST. "We will see more casualties as law enforcement responds to the scene." The National Transportation Safety Board has been called to investigate the incident and officials have confirmed that the crash site is set to remain a crime scene for several days.
Smoke continues rising from the crash site hours after the incident occurred, while firefighters work to put out blazes caused by the debris. Photographs show extensive damage at the airport and surrounding areas.
This incident marks one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, home to UPS’ global air freight hub.
A devastating crash has occurred at the Louisville International Airport, leaving at least seven people dead and several others injured. The incident happened on Tuesday evening when a UPS cargo plane, identified as UPS Flight 2976, crashed near the airport.
According to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, an initial assessment shows that 11 people were hurt in the accident, with four of those killed not even being on board the plane at the time of the crash. The governor also reported that two employees from a nearby business, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, are unaccounted for and their whereabouts are currently unknown.
Aerial footage captured by CBS affiliate WLKY News shows a large area beyond an airport runway seemingly set ablaze by the crash. All flights arriving in and departing from the airport were temporarily suspended following the incident.
Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, which was struck directly by debris from the plane, has reported damage to their facility. The nearby Ford Louisville Assembly Plant also suffered power outages due to the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that UPS Flight 2976 was on a flight to Honolulu when it crashed. However, officials have not yet released information about the cause of the crash.
"It looks like they were hit pretty directly" Beshear stated in an update shortly before 8 p.m. EST. "We will see more casualties as law enforcement responds to the scene." The National Transportation Safety Board has been called to investigate the incident and officials have confirmed that the crash site is set to remain a crime scene for several days.
Smoke continues rising from the crash site hours after the incident occurred, while firefighters work to put out blazes caused by the debris. Photographs show extensive damage at the airport and surrounding areas.
This incident marks one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, home to UPS’ global air freight hub.
this is just terrible... a plane crash near the airport is already bad enough, but with multiple casualties and injuries... it's like they say, "there's always next flight"... and now I'm worried about those two people who went missing from Kentucky Petroleum Recycling 
their families are probably going crazy right now... so many innocent lives lost or affected by this accident... what could've been the cause of such a devastating disaster? 
A plane crash is like when you're trying to adult but your responsibilities keep crashing down on you... 
[A GIF of a plane crashing into a tree]
That's a crazy situation unfolding at Louisville International Airport! I can only imagine how terrifying it must be for those who witnessed the crash or are affected by it nearby 
I'm worried about the safety protocols in place at busy cargo airports like this one 
Let's all hope for quick resolution and support for those affected by this tragedy 
... i wonder if it was a mechanical failure or some other issue that caused the crash... hopefully the NTSB can figure out whats going on ASAP and get to the bottom of this... but ugh, all these power outages at the Ford plant and stuff... thats just too much for one day 
... and louisville international airport is supposed to be so busy with cargo flights... does anyone know if the accident was survivable or was it a total loss?
. It's particularly disconcerting that two employees from a nearby business are still unaccounted for 
. While I'm relieved the airport's operations have resumed, the long-term implications of this crash on the local economy and air freight infrastructure must be closely monitored 
.
... can't believe it happened near an airport with so many people around. UPS Flight 2976 was on its way to Honolulu too 
. And poor Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, they got hit directly by debris too 
. This is a big deal for UPS and the airport, it's one of the busiest cargo airports in the world 
. Just hoping everyone can come together to support those affected 
.
I hope all the injured people get the help they need ASAP 
sending positive vibes to everyone affected 
... 7 lives lost already & several more hurt... the airport's like a disaster zone 
Anyways, gotta give props to Governor Beshear for keeping it real and stating that they were hit pretty directly... no sugarcoating there 
. Can't wait for the NTSB report to come out and figure out what went wrong (if anything). Fingers crossed for a full investigation 
... this is a super devastating blow to the community, especially with the Ford Louisville Assembly Plant getting power outages too 
need answers on that ASAP. also, hope the survivors are in good hands 
and those missing folks get found safe & sound 