At least 12 people were killed in a UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Many others, including a child and three UPS crew members, were injured. Following the accident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived at the scene to begin investigations.
The NTSB announced that two black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR) — were recovered from the wreckage. NTSB investigator Chihoon Shin stated that the flight data recorder contained approximately 63 hours of data from the last 24 flights, including altitude, speed, engine and system status information. The CVR device reportedly contained about two hours of audio related to the accident.
NTSB Board Member Todd Inman said that investigations at the crash site were ongoing, adding, “We will do everything we can to understand what happened.” Inman also revealed that the aircraft was flying at an altitude of 140 metres at a speed of 183 knots just before the crash.
According to initial findings, a major fire broke out in the left wing shortly after take-off clearance was granted, and one of the engines detached and fell. Inman said that the main components and fan blades of the engine had been sent to a laboratory for examination.
The FBI announced that it was assisting the NTSB in the investigation. In a statement, the agency said, “FBI teams are working with the NTSB in evidence collection, photography, mapping and measuring the crash site.”
UPS CEO Carol Tomé expressed deep sorrow over the crash, stating, “Our hearts are with everyone affected. As we continue our commitment to safety, maintenance and our community, we will keep them in our thoughts.”
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg urged residents to report any debris found in the area directly to the NTSB. Greenberg also announced that a memorial ceremony would be held with the community on Thursday to honour those who lost their lives in the crash.
The exact cause of the incident has not yet been determined; however, NTSB officials stated that a detailed timeline of the final moments of the flight would be created after the analysis of the black boxes.
