• At least nine people confirmed dead after a UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky.
• Eleven others injured, with some suffering "very significant" injuries.
• The crash occurred shortly after takeoff, causing a massive fireball and debris scattered across nearby facilities.
• National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.
• UPS has halted sorting operations at its Louisville facility affecting air logistics.

A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in at least nine fatalities and injuring 11 others. The event occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, as the aircraft was departing for Honolulu. Among the deceased, four people were on the ground, prompting responses from over 200 emergency personnel who were on-site to assist in rescue efforts and manage the scene, according to The Jakarta Post, Los Angeles Times, and Reuters.

Emergency officials swiftly issued a shelter-in-place order for a 5-mile radius surrounding the crash site, which was later reduced to a quarter-mile as air quality improved. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly noting that an engine appeared to have separated from the aircraft prior to its descent, as noted by eyewitness accounts and video footage. Governor Andy Beshear mentioned that the number of unaccounted individuals had reached 16 families who reported their loved ones missing, according to SFGate, SFGate, and Reuters.

The MD-11 aircraft, built in 1991 and fully loaded for a long flight, was reported to have ignited flames on its left wing as it lifted off the ground, leading to subsequent explosions and a fireball. This not only caused destruction at the airport but also inflicted damage on nearby buildings and facilities, prompting extensive emergency responses, which included securing the area to investigate hazardous materials. The Louisville airport's operations were disrupted, with UPS halting package sorting at its largest facility, which significantly impacts logistics as it processes over 400,000 packages per hour, according to The Jakarta Post, Los Angeles Times, and SFGate.

Witnesses described the crash as violent, indicating the magnitude of the explosion was reminiscent of a bomb, and the impact extended across a significant area, creating a chaotic scene that affected both local residents and businesses. Video evidence of the event highlighted the severity of the crash, reinforcing the statements from aviation experts who remarked on the implications of the flames caught near the aircraft's engines. The NTSB is expected to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the series of events that led to this tragic incident, as reported by Los Angeles Times, Reuters, and SFGate.