A devastating cargo plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in the United States has claimed three lives and left at least 11 others injured, after a UPS cargo aircraft—operating as UPS Flight 2976—crashed moments after takeoff. The incident triggered a massive fire that engulfed nearly half a kilometer of the area surrounding the runway, forcing emergency closures and widespread panic.
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Crash Captured on CCTV and Dashcams
Newly surfaced CCTV footage shows the aircraft—a UPS MD-11 freighter—lifting off the runway before violently dipping and crashing into the airport’s boundary wall. The plane immediately burst into a massive fireball, with flames spreading rapidly as the aircraft skidded further after impact.
A dashcam video from a car near the airport also captured the fiery explosion, showing the sky darkened by a thick plume of black smoke rising several miles high. Continuous secondary explosions were seen as the jet fuel ignited repeatedly.
Fire Spread Over Large Area
Aerial images reveal the horrifying scale of the crash, with a stretch nearly 500 meters long scorched black. Emergency responders worked for hours to contain the fire, which spread to surrounding grassy areas and parts of the airport perimeter.
Authorities ordered residents within several kilometers to stay indoors, as toxic smoke drifted over nearby neighborhoods.
Airport Operations Disrupted
Louisville Airport was immediately shut down. Dozens of flights were delayed or diverted as emergency operations continued.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft crashed immediately after takeoff, and that the investigation is now being led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Crisis Intensified by Ongoing U.S. Government Shutdown
A significant complication surrounding the incident is the ongoing 35-day U.S. federal government shutdown, which has severely strained operations across American airports.
Thousands of air traffic controllers, maintenance engineers, and aviation safety officials have been working without pay—leading to staff shortages, delayed inspections, and increased operational risks.
Experts warn that while aircraft can develop technical problems, early detection and safety checks depend heavily on fully staffed and fully paid safety personnel. Many aviation workers have been forced to skip work due to financial hardship.
“Today it was a cargo plane. Imagine the catastrophe if it had been a passenger aircraft,” one aviation analyst said, stressing the growing risk if the shutdown continues.
Political Fallout
The crash has heightened political tension in the U.S., with scrutiny now turning toward President Trump’s administration. A major Supreme Court hearing on Trump’s tariff policy is also underway, adding to the political firestorm.
Death Toll May Rise
Authorities caution that the death toll could rise as emergency teams continue to search through the burned wreckage.
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