Lede: Three people are dead and 11 injured following a UPS MD-11 plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening.
The plane crashed shortly after takeoff around 5 p.m. local time while en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The agency is investigating the incident alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which will lead the investigation.
Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the casualties and indicated that the numbers could change as more information becomes available. Some injured passengers sustained “very significant” injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment at local hospitals.
Authorities report that a shelter-in-place order has been issued for all locations within 5 miles of the airport, citing safety concerns. Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and other emergency agencies are on the scene, with significant smoke visible near the airport.
The MD-11F, involved in the crash, is a freight aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 633,000 pounds. Originally built in 1991, it has primarily served as a cargo plane for UPS, FedEx Express, and Lufthansa Cargo.
The LMPD posted updates regarding road closures, specifically stating that Grade Lane will remain closed indefinitely between Stooges and Crittenden due to the ongoing response efforts.
This is a developing story and will be updated.