UPS aircraft engine ‘fell off’ earlier than fireball crash that killed 12, say investigators
The UPS cargo jet that crashed in Kentucky, killing 12 people, had its engine rip away during takeoff, investigators have said as the death toll from the crash after the plane took off from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening rose to 12
A UPS cargo jet that burst into flames and crashed in Kentucky, resulting in the deaths of 12 people, did so after its engine detached during takeoff. The first investigative details about the crash were shared this morning as the death toll from the incident, which occurred shortly after the plane took off from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, rose to 12.
Officials who viewed airport security footage saw the left engine separating from the wing of the 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 as it sped down the runway before the jet exploded in a ball of fire and crashed into nearby industrial buildings.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) official Todd Inman stated at a briefing: “We have viewed airport CCTV security coverage, which shows the left engine detaching from the wing during the takeoff roll. After being cleared for takeoff, a large plume of fire in the area of the left wing occurred during the takeoff roll.
“There are a lot of different parts of this airplane in a lot of different places,” Mr Inman said, describing a debris field that stretched for approximately half a mile.
As a result, he admitted that finding survivors seems unlikely despite the continued search of the charred area near the crash, reports the Mirror.
The aircraft, destined for Honolulu, briefly became airborne before plummeting beyond the airport perimeter, smashing into Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Autoparts. A massive fireball illuminated the night sky, sparking a half-mile inferno that tore through the industrial area.
Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on Wednesday morning to expedite resources to the location.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has now confirmed the death toll had risen to 12 – including the three UPS crew members, several workers on the ground, and a child. Greenberg posted on X: “I’m deeply saddened to share that the death toll has risen to 12, with several individuals still unaccounted for.”
A child was among those who died. A further 11 people sustained injuries.
An aviation lawyer said the footage, which emerged earlier this week, suggests the aircraft was struggling to gain altitude as a fire blazed on its left side around one of its engines.
The plane, which was more than 30 years old, was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel when it crashed. Pablo Rojas, the aviation attorney, said: “Really the plane itself is almost acting like a bomb because of the amount of fuel.” The inferno consumed the enormous aircraft and spread to nearby businesses.
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