The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators stated that surveillance footage shows the left engine of the crashed UPS cargo plane detaching from the wing during takeoff taxi.
A UPS plane exploded on the runway at Louisville Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday, November 4, causing at least 11 deaths, multiple injuries, and some individuals missing.
The plane crash occurred around 5:15 pm on Tuesday, when an MD-11 aircraft crashed during takeoff at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
The accident triggered a massive fire, with thick smoke engulfing an area of nearly one mile around the airport. UPS confirmed that the aircraft had three crew members on board and was scheduled to fly to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced at a press conference on Wednesday, November 5th, that the death toll from the air disaster and subsequent impact had risen to 11 people. He anticipated that the number of fatalities could increase to 12 and confirmed that one of the deceased was a child.
He reported that the accident also resulted in 15 additional injuries, with two individuals in critical condition still in the hospital’s intensive care unit. So far, 16 families have reported missing relatives.
Two buildings belonging to Kentucky Oil Recovery Company and A-Class Auto Parts Company were severely affected by the plane crash. Two more employees from these two companies are still missing.
Beshear mentioned that the rescue operation has shifted to recovery and reconstruction, and it is unlikely that more survivors will be found.
Dozens of agencies have rushed to the crash site, including multiple police departments, fire departments, Kentucky National Guard, and Louisville Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other agencies.
NTSB official Todd Inman stated at a press conference on Wednesday that airport surveillance footage shows the left engine of the aircraft detaching from the wing during takeoff.
“We reviewed the surveillance video from the airport, which shows the left engine detaching from the wing during the takeoff taxi,” Inman said.
He added, “This footage, along with other evidence we have found, is invaluable to our investigators and will help us clarify the key areas of investigation to continue delving deeper in the upcoming phases of the investigation.”
NTSB has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (referred to as the “black box”) and confirmed it had previously suffered high-temperature burns.
According to Flightradar data, the aircraft’s last signal indicated a ground height speed of 184 knots, approximately 211 miles per hour. Officials confirmed during a press conference on Tuesday that the plane was carrying 38,000 gallons of aviation fuel.