Officials reported that the aircraft carried 38,000 gallons (144,000 liters) of fuel. It was bound for Hawaii, a journey of more than 4,300 miles (6,920 km). The large amount of jet fuel caused an intense blaze that spread quickly to nearby buildings.
The crash ignited at least two businesses, including a petroleum recycling facility. Emergency services imposed a five-mile shelter-in-place order, later reduced to one mile as firefighters contained the flames.
At least 11 people were injured, and 16 families have reported missing relatives. Two auto-shop workers remain unaccounted for.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neal described the incident as “a very dangerous situation,” citing the amount of spilled fuel and ongoing flare-ups.
Airport Operations and Emergency Response
The Louisville Metro Police Department confirmed that the crash site will stay under active investigation for several days. Crews are still working to remove hazardous debris.
All outgoing flights were canceled on Tuesday evening. However, the main runway reopened early Wednesday morning. Mayor Craig Greenberg expressed condolences to families and praised first responders for their rapid action.
“Louisville is a UPS town,” said City Council member Betsy Ruhe. “Everyone knows someone who works for the company. People are checking on friends and family, hoping they’re safe.”
Aircraft Details and Investigation
The MD-11F involved entered service 34 years ago. It originally flew for Thai Airways and joined UPS in 2006. The model was built by McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997.
Both UPS and FedEx have begun retiring their older MD-11 fleets to improve efficiency and safety.
Boeing expressed condolences and said it will assist the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. The NTSB team arrived in Kentucky on Wednesday morning.
UPS Statement and Local Impact
UPS said it was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and temporarily suspended operations at Worldport, the company’s largest global air-cargo hub in Louisville.
“UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, customers, and communities,” the company said. “This is especially true here in Louisville — home to thousands of UPSers.”
The company confirmed that three crew members were on board but did not yet verify casualties.
Louisville Mayor Greenberg called the event “a devastating day for our city” and thanked firefighters for preventing a wider disaster.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The NTSB will examine maintenance records, flight-data logs, and cockpit recordings. Investigators are focusing on the aircraft’s fuel systems and possible mechanical faults.
Governor Beshear urged patience: “It’s too early to speculate about the cause. The investigation must run its course.”
Meanwhile, local agencies continue recovery efforts and environmental cleanup around the impact zone.
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