A UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff in Louisville on Tuesday, with an enormous fireball engulfing the aircraft and a large area of the ground around it, killing at least 9 people and injuring another 11.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was caught by multiple cameras as it crashed. There were three crew members onboard.
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The aircraft's port engine looks to have separated entirely during takeoff. Early reports indicate that mechanics may have serviced the port engine that day.
As reported by Fox Business, the size of the aircraft and the amount of fuel on board made the crash more catastrophic.
The cause of the crash has not yet been released.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials said.
The aircraft was loaded with more than 200,000 pounds of fuel at the time of the incident, leading to a massive fireball explosion, according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg.
Louisville is the site of UPS's global aviation hub.
According to the Associated Press and video circulating online shortly after the crash, the plane was on fire during takeoff.
Video showed flames on the plane's left wing and a trail of smoke. The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball. Video also revealed portions of a building's shredded roof next to the end of the runway.
Thankfully, because the crash happened later in the day (early evening), most of the businesses in the trajectory of the fireball were already closed.
The death toll had risen to at least seven Tuesday night, and four of those killed were not on the plane, officials said.
Among the 11 who were hurt, some had 'very significant' injuries, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.
As of Wednesday morning, that number had risen to nine.
Here is more footage of the aftermath:
Rumors of maintenance delays and engine failures led internet sleuths to dig up public records of the aircraft, which was built in 1991.
UPS announced that package sorting and processing at the facility had been halted until further notice. It also released this statement:
Prayers up for Louisville.
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