A devastating plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday left the community in shock, after a UPS cargo aircraft burst into flames during takeoff, killing at least seven people and injuring at least eleven others. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. Eastern Time, as UPS Flight 2976 was departing for Honolulu.

Dramatic footage captured from a passing vehicle shows the moment the aircraft erupted into a massive fireball, sending a towering column of black smoke into the sky. The video, which quickly spread across social media, records the stunned voice of the driver witnessing the disaster unfold in real time. Flames engulfed the wreckage as emergency sirens sounded in the distance and thick smoke billowed for miles.

According to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, the plane crashed onto the roof of the Kentucky Petroleum Recycling building shortly after takeoff. The cargo aircraft had been fully fueled, intensifying the explosion and subsequent fire. Beshear described the scene as “catastrophic” during a briefing Tuesday evening. He also confirmed that two employees at a nearby business, Grade A Auto Parts, are currently unaccounted for as rescue and response operations continue.

Debris was scattered across the tarmac and surrounding industrial area as emergency crews raced to contain the fire and locate survivors. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have both launched investigations into the cause of the crash.

Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for neighborhoods near the airport due to the heavy smoke and potential exposure to hazardous materials. The order remained in place as firefighters worked to control the blaze and secure the area.

The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and officials say the recovery process is ongoing.

The crash has deeply impacted the Louisville community, with local officials urging residents to stay clear of the area and offering condolences to the families affected. UPS has not yet released a public statement regarding the incident.

More information is expected as investigators analyze flight data, interview witnesses, and examine the aircraft’s maintenance history.

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