THIS is the terrifying moment a UPS cargo plane exploded in a dramatic fireball during take off, killing at least seven. Hordes of police and fire crews were responding to multiple blazes burning at the edge of Louisville International Airport, Kentucky, and cops reported there are “very significant” injuries.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said that at least seven people died and 11 were injured in the tragedy at around 5.15pm (10.15pm BST).
Horror footage shows the UPS plane bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, speeding along the runway at Louisville as it attempts to take off. Flames can be seen pouring from the left engine area as the pilots press on for the 12-hour journey with almost 150,000 litres of fuel on board.
The plane appears to tip upwards slightly – suggesting the wheels just leave the tarmac – before a colossal fireball mushrooms into the sky. Dashcam video shared online shows the aircraft slamming back down onto the runway, erupting into a wall of flames as black smoke billows hundreds of feet into the air.
Another angle from inside the industrial park shows that the plane twisted to its left and skidded along with its right wing pointed upwards. Authorities said the freight plane smashed through two businesses as it burned, which had reported two employees unaccounted for.
Governor Beshear later confirmed the businesses were a petroleum recycling plant and a car parts yard, adding all employees had eventually been located.
