Federal investigators have recovered both black boxes from the wreckage of a UPS cargo plane that crashed shortly after takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least 12 people. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, involved UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F bound for Honolulu, Hawaii.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), early evidence and CCTV footage revealed the plane’s left engine detached from the wing during takeoff, sparking a massive fire. “After being cleared for takeoff, a large plume of fire appeared near the left wing,” said NTSB member Todd Inman at a Wednesday press briefing. “The aircraft gained some altitude before it lost control and crashed.”
The crash site, located near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, showed widespread devastation. The plane reportedly struck several industrial buildings, including a petroleum recycling company and an auto parts warehouse, before exploding. Officials described the trail of destruction as extending nearly 800 meters.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed on Wednesday that 12 people were killed, including what is believed to be the flight crew and several civilians on the ground. Another 15 people remain missing, as search teams continue to comb through debris. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear called the wreckage “one of the most violent disaster scenes” he has ever witnessed.
The NTSB confirmed the recovery of both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder, which have been sent to Washington for analysis. Investigators are focusing on why the 31-year-old aircraft’s engine separated during takeoff — a rare and catastrophic event in aviation.
UPS, which temporarily suspended operations at its Louisville Worldport facility, said it is cooperating fully with federal investigators. The site is the company’s largest global air hub, processing over 300 cargo flights daily.
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Authorities have urged residents near the crash area not to touch debris as cleanup and recovery efforts continue. While officials have not yet determined the cause of the crash, investigators say it could take months before a final report is released.
This marks one of the deadliest air accidents in UPS’s history, reigniting discussions about aircraft maintenance and the safety of aging cargo fleets.
