The UPS cargo plane which crashed and killed 11 people on Tuesday did so after its engine fell off during departure, officials have confirmed.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 plane exploded shortly after taking off from Kentucky‘s Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville overnight.
Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have confirmed that the engine detached from the aircraft. It’s unclear whether this was due to a fault with the plane or because of an external factor.
The plane was 34 years old and its fuel tank had been repaired in September, according to flight records.
Dramatic images which emerged online in the aftermath of the tragedy showed a fireball explosion, and what appeared to be the engine on the runway.
‘We have viewed airport CCTV security coverage, which shows the left engine detaching from the wing during the takeoff roll,’ NTSB official Todd Inman said during a press briefing on Wednesday.
‘The plane was traveling to Honolulu Hawaii,’ he added. ‘There were three souls on board the plane,’ an NTSB official said on Wednesday.
‘After being cleared for takeoff, a large plume of fire in the area of the left wing occurred during the takeoff roll.
The UPS cargo plane which crashed and killed 11 people on Tuesday did so after its engine fell off during departure, officials have confirmed. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 plane exploded shortly after taking off from Kentucky’s Muhammad Ali International Airport
What appears to be a plane engine is seen here lying on the runway following the crash
‘The plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of runway 17R.
‘Shortly after clearing that fence, it made impact with structures and the terrain off of the airport property.
‘A post-impact fire ensued, which covers approximately almost a half of a mile.’
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll had risen again to 11.
‘First responders are on the scene now that it’s daylight again. The coroner has been working through the night and is there. NTSB will be arriving shortly in Louisville,’ he told CNN.
A terrifying video shared to social media showed the aircraft attempting to take off with a ball of fire emanating from its left wing. Just moments later, the plane exploded.
Dashcam footage also showed the plane crashing back into the runway, leaving a blaze in its wake.
It struck two local businesses – Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Autoparts, which Governor Beshear said accounted for all of its employees except for two, who were found later on.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll had rose again to 11
There were three crew members onboard the flight at the time, UPS officials have confirmed.
Four of the people killed were on the ground, Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said. The victims have not been identified.
It is unclear whether the additional fatalities were members of the crew or people on the ground.
The Louisville airport shut down after the crash but began to resume operations Wednesday morning.
Flights canceled Tuesday were prioritized for departure, although some Wednesday flights remained grounded.
