LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, resulting in at least 11 fatalities, including a child. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. as the aircraft was departing for Honolulu from UPS Worldport, the company’s global aviation hub.

Federal investigators revealed that the left wing of the plane caught fire, and an engine detached during takeoff. Todd Inman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stated that video footage showed the left engine separating from the wing as the plane rolled down the runway. The aircraft managed to gain some altitude before crashing just outside the airport, creating a massive fireball that spread to nearby businesses, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts.

First responders continued to search for additional victims on Wednesday, a day after the crash. Governor Andy Beshear expressed concern that the death toll could rise, as authorities were still looking for a “handful of other people.” He noted that 16 families had gathered at a reunification center for updates on their loved ones.

Mark Little, chief of the Okolona Fire District, described the scene as chaotic, stating, “With the intense fire that was there, most of the things are gone.” He added that the debris field extended for half a mile, complicating recovery efforts.

Two individuals were reported in critical condition at the University of Louisville Hospital, while 18 others received treatment and were later discharged. The airport resumed operations on Wednesday, with at least one runway open, although local residents were advised not to drink tap water due to potential contamination from the crash.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, which was manufactured in 1991, had three crew members on board at the time of the accident. Their status remains unclear, and it is not known if they are included in the death toll.

UPS expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, "We are terribly saddened." The Louisville facility is the company’s largest, employing over 20,000 people and handling 300 flights daily.

Community members have rallied to support those affected. The Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund is accepting donations to assist with funeral expenses and other needs. “In Kentucky, we grieve together and we support one another,” Beshear said.

Witnesses described the moment of the crash as terrifying. Summer Dickerson, who works nearby, recalled, “I didn’t know if we were getting attacked. I didn’t know what was going on.”

As the investigation continues, experts are examining the aircraft’s maintenance records, as it had undergone heavy maintenance in the month prior to the crash. Jeff Guzzetti, a former federal crash investigator, noted that it is too early to determine the cause of the fire and subsequent crash.

The NTSB is leading the investigation, and further details will emerge as recovery efforts progress and data from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder are analyzed.

The crash has left a significant impact on the local community, with many residents expressing concern for their friends and family who work at UPS. “We all know somebody who works at UPS,” said Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe.

As the community mourns, the search for answers continues amid the devastation left by the crash.