Topline
Law enforcement officials said at least four people are dead following a plane crash near Louisville International Airport on Tuesday, as first responders work to put out a large blaze caused by the incident.
A fireball erupts near airport property after reports of a plane crash at Louisville International Airport on Tuesday in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
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Key Facts
Officials told reporters around 9 p.m. EST that at least four people were dead and 10 were injured.
Louisville police around 9 p.m. reduced an ongoing shelter-in-place from five miles to one mile for all locations around the airport, which is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world and is the home of UPS’ global air freight hub.
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., told reporters in an update shortly before 8 p.m. EST he believed the death and injury toll are going to increase as law enforcement continues responding to the crash.
The status of the plane’s three-person crew was not known, Beshear said.
The governor said a business near the airport, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, “looks like they were hit pretty directly” and two employees are unaccounted for.
Another business, Grade A Auto Parts, also sustained damage, while the nearby Ford Louisville Assembly Plant was not hit but has lost power, according to Beshear.
The Federal Aviation Administration tweeted that UPS Flight 2976, en route to Honolulu, crashed around 5:15 p.m. EST.
Aerial footage from CBS affiliate WLKY News showed a large area beyond an airport runway seemingly set ablaze by the crash.
Is The Cause Of The Crash Known?
Not as of Tuesday night. Officials said they would not provide information on a cause until the National Transportation Safety Board completes its investigation. Officials added the crash site will remain an active scene for the coming days.
Smoke is scene miles away from the crash site.
Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty Images
Smoke continues rising from the crash site hours after the incident occurred.
AP Photo/Jon Cherry
Firefighters put out blazes caused by the crash.
AP Photo/Jon Cherry
Smoke billows from the site of the crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
Photo by Stephen Cohen/Getty Images
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.