A cargo plane crashed just after takeoff, skidded into buildings near the airport and exploded in a massive fireball. At least seven people are confirmed dead and investigations are underway.
A terrifying aviation disaster rocked the city when a cargo jet crashed during take-off and skidded into nearby buildings, killing at least seven people.
The incident occurred at about 5:15 p.m. after departure from the major airport hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The aircraft, heavily loaded and bound for Honolulu, appeared to gain lift briefly but then plummeted back and slammed near buildings adjacent to the runway.
Footage from witnesses shows flames engulfing the left wing early in the take-off roll, followed by the aircraft tipping and then crashing into structures that housed businesses, triggering a massive fire and debris scatter across a wide area.
Officials say at least seven people died as a result of the crash — and importantly, four of the fatalities were on the ground, not just on the aircraft. Eleven others were injured, many with “very significant” injuries.
The airport was shut down immediately, and the national safety board dispatched a large investigation team to determine the cause. Fuel load, engine condition, and loading records are expected to be key areas of inquiry.
Why this matters
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The fact that civilians on the ground were killed highlights the risk of airport operations spreading into areas beyond safety zones.
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Flight data will be closely examined to see why the aircraft lost lift or control so soon after take-off.
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The incident raises serious concerns about heavy cargo loading procedures, aircraft certification, oversight, and ground-safety buffer zones.
What’s next
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will comb through flight recorders, maintenance logs and airport surveillance video. Community and business impact assessments will also be initiated due to the large fire and damage to buildings.