A plane has crashed near Louisville international airport in Kentucky, leaving at least three dead and 11 injured, the state’s governor, Andy Beshear, said. The governor said he expects those numbers to grow.
A UPS flight took off from the airport and crashed around 5.15pm local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, had three crew members on board, according to UPS. It was bound for Honolulu.
Beshear said during a Tuesday evening press conference he believes there are at least three fatalities, but that number will grow as emergency crews parse through the debris, and 11 injuries. He added that the crash took place near two businesses: a recycling center, which took a direct hit, and an auto parts shop where all but two employees were accounted for. Their identities will be released soon, Beshear added.
“Watching that video, I think we’re all very, very worried about them,” he said of the airplane crew members and missing employees.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be leading the official investigation going forward, a UPS spokesperson said in a statement to the Guardian.
A huge plume of smoke was visible south of the airport shortly afterwards. The Louisville metro police department (LMPD) said multiple agencies were responding to reports of a crash.
In a post on X, Beshear, described the situation as “serious” and said that he is heading to Louisville.
“We have virtually every fire, police, emergency response group that is responding right now to what you’re seeing,” Beshear said during the press conference.
“This is an active scene with fire and debris,” LMPD said in a statement. “Stay away.”
Videos posted on social media appeared to show an active blaze.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for all locations within 5 miles of the airport, which was closed. The order was later extended to “all areas north of the airport to the Ohio River”, covering much of the city.
“Please remain away from the area until further notice,” added LMPD.
