Cargo Plane Crashes and Explodes in the U.S.

The accident occurred near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky at around 5:15 p.m. on November 4. The crash caused a large fire and a towering column of smoke stretching for several kilometers, visible from a great distance.

Video footage from the scene showed flames erupting from the aircraft’s left wing. The plane had lifted off the ground but wobbled and failed to gain altitude before crashing and exploding.
According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the ill-fated aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 operated by UPS, preparing for a flight to Honolulu, Hawaii. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.

UPS confirmed there were three crew members on board but did not release details about their condition.

Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) reported “injuries” at the scene but has not yet provided specific information. City officials have urged residents within an 8-kilometer radius of the crash site to remain indoors and seek shelter due to ongoing fire and explosion risks.

The MD-11 aircraft was designed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, later acquired by Boeing. Originally a popular wide-body passenger jet when introduced in 1990, most were later converted for cargo use as fuel costs rose.

According to Boeing, the MD-11 has a maximum takeoff weight of 286 tons, including over 117 tons of fuel.