On Nov 4, UPS Flight 2976, a wide-body cargo jet, took off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. Moments after departing around 5:15 pm, one engine burst into flames 🔥, and the plane plummeted into an industrial zone.
All three crew members aboard died, along with four people on the ground. Another 11 were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals. Thick black smoke filled the evening sky as fires spread across warehouses near the runway, forcing airport officials to suspend operations overnight.
Debris was scattered across two runways at Worldport, UPS’s global air hub in Louisville and the world’s largest package-handling facility. The airline warned that some deliveries might be delayed, but contingency plans are in place to reroute shipments ASAP 📦✈️.
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are probing why one of the plane’s three engines detached before the crash. Normally, these jets can fly safely on two engines, so experts say this raises red flags about possible technical or maintenance failures.
This tragic accident comes amid one of the longest U.S. government shutdowns ever, which has led to air traffic control staff shortages. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had warned of potential “mass cancellations” in the skies due to the staffing crunch.
For now, Louisville authorities have issued a shelter-in-place order for anyone within 8 km of the airport while fires continue to smolder. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this heartbreaking event ❤️.
Reference(s):
At least seven killed after UPS cargo plane crashes in Kentucky, U.S.
cgtn.com
