A cargo plane has reportedly crashed near Louisville International Airport in Kentucky, the state’s governor has said, BBC reported. At least three people are reportedly killed after a UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff at Louisville International Airport in Kentucky.
Videos available on social media showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke. The plane rose a little from the ground but soon crashed and burst into a big ball of fire. Videos also showed parts of a nearby building’s roof torn off near the end of the runway.
US Airline Crashes After Take-Off
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that UPS Flight 2976 crashed at around 17:15 local time (22:15 GMT) after departing Louisville International Airport. Louisville Metro Police Department and other agencies are responding to the emergencies. According to the police, a shelter-in-place has been issued for all locations within 5 miles of the airport.
US Shut down and the Plane crash
It has to be noted that the crash comes amid one of the longest government shutdowns in US history, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning of “mass chaos” earlier Tuesday due to a lack of air traffic control staff.
In January, an American Eagle passenger plane collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter near Washington’s Ronald Reagan Airport, killing 67 people.
This accident ended the US’s 16 years without a deadly commercial plane crash and raised worries about the country’s air traffic control system, which many say has too few workers and outdated equipment.
Crash site includes a petroleum recycling business – Kentucky governor
According to BBC, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear described the incident as a “catastrophic crash” at Louisville International airport. He said that, though the plane was not carrying any specifically hazardous cargo onboard that would create an environmental issue for people around the site, the impact of the crash could still cause damage or create such problems. He described the situation as “all hands on deck response”. He added that the crash site includes a petroleum recycling business. This is obviously a worry, as petroleum is a highly flammable liquid. It also included an auto-parts business. He warns nearby Louisville residents to keep sheltering in place.
