Louisville, USA – At least eleven people died in the spectacular crash of a UPS cargo plane Tuesday afternoon in Louisville, in the east-central United States. The already tragic death toll is expected to rise to twelve , according to the state governor.

Engine failure on takeoff

The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 , was scheduled to fly to Hawaii. The accident occurred immediately after the start of its takeoff run from Mohammed Ali International Airport in Louisville.

Initial findings from the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) investigation suggest a critical mechanical failure . According to Todd Inman, an investigator dispatched to the scene, airport surveillance footage is conclusive:

"Airport surveillance camera footage shows the left engine detaching from the wing during takeoff acceleration."

The engine remained on the tarmac, while the plane, whose left wing was on fire in an amateur video, continued its course before exploding.

Scene of destruction and investigation

The plane crashed about 5 km away, destroying buildings and creating a massive blaze that spread over several hundred meters in an area of hangars and parking lots. The governor of Kentucky stated that the aircraft had struck an oil recycling facility "quite directly."

Three crew members were on board the UPS plane, whose air division is based in Louisville, its main hub in the United States.

The two flight recorders, the "black boxes", were quickly recovered and sent to Washington for analysis which should clarify the exact causes of the tragedy.

Logistical consequences and national context

In response to the accident, UPS suspended all its sorting operations in Louisville for the second consecutive day. Flights at Mohammed Ali International Airport, however, resumed on Wednesday, Mayor Craig Greenberg announced.

This event comes amid heightened tensions in the US air transport sector, already weakened by the consequences of the government shutdown in Congress. The shortage of air traffic controllers – who have been working without pay since October 1st – is causing widespread absenteeism, leading to numerous flight delays and cancellations across the country. The government has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules starting Friday to ease the pressure on air traffic control.

The last major air accident in the United States was on January 29 (date not specified in the original article, but the information remains factual) near Washington, involving the collision of a military helicopter and a passenger plane, which claimed the lives of 67 people.