At least 12 people have died after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after take-off in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday. The widebody MD-11 freighter struck local businesses, including a petroleum recycling facility, causing multiple secondary explosions and spreading fire and thick smoke over a large area.
A team of at least 28 investigators is set to arrive in Louisville on Wednesday to examine the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation.
“This is going to be a tough day for Kentucky,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear in a social media post. He planned to provide an update on the situation at 11:30 a.m.
A plane engine found on the ground near the crash site could be crucial for understanding what triggered the accident.
“That’s a huge clue and does give the (National Transportation Safety Board) a pretty good idea of what started this all off,” said Mary Schiavo, former Department of Transportation inspector general, during a CNN interview.
“The fact that that engine came off of the plane before the final impact and fireball” indicates an “uncontained engine failure, meaning the engine spews out parts,” Schiavo added.
Authorities continue to manage the aftermath and assess damage caused by the explosions and fire.
The UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville has tragically killed at least 12, with an unfolding investigation focusing on an uncontained engine failure as a likely cause.