Bangkok: Federal safety investigators have successfully recovered the “black box” recorder from the site of a UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky. The crash, which occurred during takeoff, resulted in a devastating fire that claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals.
According to Thai News Agency, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman reported that a significant plume of smoke was observed emanating from the plane’s left wing. It was further noted that one of the three engines had become detached from the wing as the MD-11 cargo plane, carrying three crew members and bound for Honolulu, crashed shortly after clearing a guardrail at the runway’s end. The aircraft struck multiple buildings outside the airport.
The crash led to an immediate fire, dispersing debris around 800 meters into nearby industrial areas, including a petroleum recycling plant that subsequently caught fire and exploded. The incident prompted the temporary closure of the airport and disrupted operations at UPS Worldport, the company’s global air cargo hub, affecting delivery services.
Inman, speaking at the NTSB’s inaugural news conference following the disaster, confirmed that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, designed to endure crash impacts and high temperatures, were found intact amidst the wreckage. These black boxes are expected to be readable once examined in a Washington laboratory, providing crucial insights into the crash’s circumstances. The NTSB aims to release a preliminary report within 30 days, but a comprehensive investigation could span 12 to 24 months.
In response to the catastrophe, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency early Wednesday, facilitating the swift deployment of disaster response resources. Officials confirmed nine fatalities on the ground, alongside the three crew members who perished in the crash.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced via Twitter that the death toll had increased to 12, with several individuals still unaccounted for. Rescue operations continue as approximately 200 firefighters and emergency personnel, supported by 50 fire trucks, work to manage the blaze. Governor Beshear noted that key locations such as the convention center, local restaurants, and the nearby Ford Motor Company facility were spared from the flames.