On Tuesday November 4th, a UPS flight crashed near Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. There are currently 7 deaths, and 11 injuries confirmed.
Areas south of Outer Loop are now clear, as of 7:15 pm Tuesday evening. As of now, shelter in place is now a one mile radius around the airport. JCPS has cancelled school for Wednesday, November 5th due to air quality concerns.
UPS flight 2976 crashed near the airport shortly after takeoff, around 5 pm, carrying only 3 crew members. A massive plume of black smoke is rising not far from the tarmac at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, videos from CNN affiliate WAVE show.
The flight was one of UPS’ two largest MD-11 models, bound for Honolulu, and retained the majority of the 38,000 gallons of fuel needed for its flight, fueling the explosion.
7 fatalities and at least 11 injuries were confirmed, some of them “very significant.” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said shortly before the governor’s news conference there were “multiple injuries and the fire is still burning,” adding the city has “every emergency agency responding to the scene.”
The plane flew into the freight warehouse at UPS, continued to fly through GFL Environmental Pseudonym, and then into Grade A Auto parts. Supply chains on Melwood Avenue and Stooges Bar on Grade Lane also suffered damage. Kentucky Petroleum Recycling took a direct hit from the plane crash, likely contributing to the duration of the burn.
Many areas around the crash site are being managed, with local authorities and first responders on the scene.
“The mayor’s office is working closely with first responders, federal authorities and emergency management teams to respond and secure the areas,” The Deputy Mayor said.
Governor Andy Beshear has spoken to the public in an LMPD statement regarding the crash site, and the materials that were being shipped on the plane.
“I can confirm that there was no specifically hazardous cargo on board that would create an environmental issue around the crash,” says Beshear.
Beshear and police advise the public to stay away from the crash site at all costs.
“Do not go to the crash site, you will put people in danger, you will put yourself in danger. There may be people who still need to be rescued, do not be the reason first responders cannot get to them.”
LGE has said in a statement that parts of their equipment have been compromised and they may have to disable them for safety purposes.
“Understand that if that’s done it’s to protect you and the people working on it,” Governor Beshear said on the possibility of effects on power.
The FAA has confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board will be leading an investigation into UPS Flight 2976 alongside the Federal Aviation Administration to determine the cause of the crash.
Anyone trying to reunite with family should avoid hospitals. All are advised to go to the Family Reunification Area at the LMPD Training Facility at 2911 Taylor Blvd.
