A commercial aircraft experienced a fire in its left wing and lost an engine just before crashing and erupting into flames on Tuesday, recent reports reveal.
Initial findings of the investigation into the incident, which claimed multiple lives including that of a child, have been disclosed this morning as authorities in Louisville, Kentucky, deal with at least 16 families reporting missing loved ones.
According to Todd Inman from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the plane was authorized for takeoff when a significant fire erupted in the left wing. The NTSB is leading the inquiry to determine the cause of the fire and the engine detachment, a process that is expected to span over a year.
Preliminary data suggests that the aircraft managed to gain sufficient altitude to clear the runway’s end before crashing near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, a major transportation hub handling millions of passengers and cargo annually.
Video footage from airport security cameras captured the moment the left engine detached during takeoff. The cockpit voice and data recorders were retrieved, and the engine was located on the airfield.
The wide distribution of aircraft debris over a half-mile radius makes the chance of finding survivors slim, despite ongoing search efforts in the vicinity of the crash site.
An aviation attorney highlighted that the plane, over 30 years old, was carrying a large amount of fuel, likening it to a potential bomb due to the fire that engulfed the aircraft and spread to nearby structures.
UPS Worldport, the global aviation hub of the company situated at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, faced temporary closure post the incident, disrupting supply chains and causing shipping delays.
The cargo airline, founded in 1988, did not disclose specifics about the cargo onboard the plane. The company anticipates handling increased demand and overcoming the backlog by the upcoming holiday season.
Experts emphasize the necessity of a swift resolution to the crisis while ensuring thorough investigation and resolution procedures are followed to address the current challenges effectively.
