A cargo aircraft tragically crashed at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport yesterday, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people.

The MD-11F wide-body freighter burst into flames shortly after takeoff, igniting several buildings in a nearby industrial area.

It is understood that three crew members aboard the UPS plane are amongst the seven casualties, but officials cautioned that the death toll could rise as recovery efforts continue.

The crash prompted a temporary shutdown of Muhammad Ali International Airport – home to UPS’s largest global air cargo hub. All flight operations have been suspended while investigators work to determine the cause and crews begin clearing debris from two runways.

This marks the second major cargo plane accident in just two weeks, following an Emirates freighter skidding off the runway and plunging into the sea near Hong Kong on October 20th.

Concerns over aviation safety have intensified in recent weeks as the US government shutdown stretches into its sixth week and air traffic controller shortages persist. However, early indications suggest that this incident is not connected.

The thoughts and prayers from everyone at Westbound go out to all those impacted by this tragic event.

If you have any questions regarding the above, then Westbound are here to help. So, please do not hesitate to contact us.