In a tragic incident, at least nine lives were lost when a cargo plane crashed in Kentucky. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, operated by UPS, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville International Airport. The plane was en route to Hawaii when disaster struck on November 4, 2025.
Details of the Plane Crash in Kentucky
According to authorities, the plane encountered severe problems during takeoff. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that the death toll currently stands at 11, with predictions it may rise to 12. Eyewitness reports indicate that the left engine detached from the wing during the takeoff sequence.
Impact and Damage
The crash created a significant fireball, devastating nearby buildings and sending thick smoke into the air. The wreckage landed approximately 5 kilometers from the airport, striking a petroleum recycling facility directly.
Responses and Investigations
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched investigators to the scene.
- Both flight data recorders have been sent to Washington for analysis.
- UPS Airlines has abruptly suspended all sorting operations in Louisville following the accident.
Footage released by local media showed flames emanating from the aircraft as it struggled for altitude before the explosion. This event comes at a time when issues within the U.S. aviation system are compounded by a government shutdown.
Current Situation in Aviation
Recent weeks have seen significant disruptions in air travel across the country. Due to funding disputes in Congress, air traffic control staff has been working unpaid since October 1. The government plans to request airlines cut schedules starting Friday to alleviate pressure on the air traffic control system.
The previous major aviation accident in the U.S. occurred on January 29, when a military helicopter collided with a commercial airliner near Ronald Reagan International Airport, resulting in 67 fatalities.
