Skip to main content

A cargo plane has crashed on take-off, igniting a massive fire and sending smoke billowing across the sky.

Three people died and 11 have been reported injured from the incident at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in America.

The crash occurred just south of the airport with Louisville Metro Police describing the site as “an active scene with fire and debris” and urging residents to avoid the area.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the aircraft was en route to Honolulu when the incident occurred. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations into the cause of the crash.

“We are aware of an incident involving one of our aircraft in Louisville and are cooperating with authorities,” said UPS in a statement.

The company’s Worldport facility, located at the airport, is a major logistics hub processing more than 400,000 packages per hour and supporting more than 300 daily flights.

Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion and witnessing a plume of smoke rising above nearby homes.