According to initial flight tracking data, the aircraft, heading south on runway 17R, reached a maximum altitude of 175 feet (53m)above ground level,[7] and the highest recorded ground speed received was 186 knots (344km/h; 214mph).[5] The flight was not carrying hazardous cargo.[8] Radio communication with air traffic control, routinely archived, was so full of interference that no meaningful speech could be discerned.[9]
Bystander videos show the aircraft taking off with its number one (left) engine engulfed in flames. Seconds after becoming airborne, the aircraft simultaneously turned left of the runway centreline, and entered a sharp descent from which it did not recover.[10] After hitting the roof of a UPS Supply Chain warehouse, the aircraft rolled left over 90 degrees, and plowed through a semi-truck parking area with its landing gear still extended.[11] The left engine, which separated from the wing during the takeoff roll, was lying on the grass near runway 17R.[12][13]
Multiple buildings were set on fire or destroyed, with reports of people being trapped inside.[14][15] The crash site included at least two businesses: a petroleum recycling plant, causing further flames, and an auto scrap yard.[16] Two employees of the auto yard were unaccounted for, and it is unknown how many customers were on the premises.[1] UPS said three crew members were on board the plane.[17]
Victims
At least 12 people died, including a child.[18] Sixteen families reported missing relatives. Governor Andy Beshear said they are presumed dead.[19][20][21][22] A spokesperson for UofL Health reported that the system has received 15 patients, 13 having been discharged as of the next morning.[23][24]
Aftermath
The smoke plume viewed from the ground
All flights to and from the airport were immediately canceled.[25] The Louisville Metro Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order centered on the airport with a radius of 5 miles (8.0km). This was later reduced to 1 mile (1.6km) by Louisville Metro Emergency Medical Services. Mayor Greenberg said, at the last briefing of the day, that more than 100 firefighters were at the scene. The local police said that it was of crucial importance that families not seek loved ones at hospitals, as to avoid their being swamped; a "reunification center" was set up at the police training academy.[26][27]
The radius of the shelter-in-place order was reduced for the third time, effective at 7:30a.m. Wednesday November 5, centered near 7501 Grade Lane, to 0.25 miles (0.40km).[30] The Louisville Metro Government set up a website for people to report and document debris, which they were urged not to touch, and numerous departures were delayed or canceled.[30]
At 7:40 a.m. on November 5, Louisville International Airport announced that Runway 11/29 was open. At 4:50 p.m. it announced that the full airfield was open and the airport had resumed most of its normal operations.[31]
Reactions
A number of local politicians, including Kentucky U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, expressed their condolences to the victims.[32] A town hall meeting in Louisville with U.S. Senate candidate Nate Morris started with a moment of silence following the accident.[33] Representative Morgan McGarvey thanked the bravery of first responders at the scene.[34]
American Airlines Flight 191 (1979) – A DC-10 that crashed during initial climb following the separation of the left engine during takeoff roll; 273 died
Air France Flight 4590 (2000) – A BAC-Aerospatiale Concorde that suffered an engine fire during takeoff roll and crashed into a hotel; 113 died
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