LOUISVILLE, Ky. (LEX18) — A UPS plane crashed at Louisville International Muhammad Ali Airport, resulting in ongoing search and rescue operations.
As of now, two runways have reopened, while crews continue to clear debris from the crash site. Search teams are combing through the wreckage for any potential survivors. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation with over 30 personnel deployed to the scene.
Investigators report the aircraft’s last recorded altitude was 475 feet, traveling at 183 knots. It had recently undergone six weeks of maintenance in San Antonio; however, there were no delays related to its maintenance on the crash day, according to UPS.
The NTSB is working to extract 63 hours of flight data and audio recordings from the cockpit black box, which includes two hours of audio preceding the crash. A foreign object debris walk revealed multiple engine fan blades at the site.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg emphasized the community’s need for unity during this time and confirmed that there are no health hazards detected in the air quality, leading to a reduction in the shelter-in-place order.
Greenberg encouraged anyone with missing loved ones to contact local authorities, as efforts to locate additional individuals continue amidst the extensive destruction witnessed at the crash site, which included portions of the aircraft lodged in surrounding structures.