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Terrifying moment UPS plane explodes on takeoff in Kentucky, killing at least three and injuring 11 as gigantic fireball destroys nearby buildings and leaves people trapped
Daily Mail ^ | 17:46 EST, 4 November 2025 | Updated: 20:37 EST, 4 November 2025 | MELISSA KOENIG

Posted on 11/04/2025 5:50:46 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum

Three people were killed and eleven people were injured when a large UPS plane exploded as it took off from a Louisville, Kentucky airport on Tuesday.

The MD-11 plane exploded around 5.15pm as it departed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, heading toward Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, the Federal Aviation Authority announced.

Terrifying video shared to social media showed the aircraft attempting to takeoff with a ball of fire emanating from its left wing. Just moments later, the plane exploded.

Dashcam footage also showed the plane crashing back into the runway, leaving a blaze in its wake.

It struck two local businesses - Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Autoparts, which Governor Andy Beshear said accounted for all of its employees except for two.

There were three crew members onboard the flight at the time, UPS officials have confirmed. But it is unclear whether the fatalities were members of the crew.

'From the videos I've seen, I'm very concerned for them, but I'm still praying,' Beshear said at a news conference Tuesday night. 

It was also fueled with 38,000 gallons at the time, due to the lengthy trip to Hawaii - sparking a massive fire that spread to cover an entire city block, as the governor warned the number of fatalities and injuries 'is going to get larger.'

Meanwhile, locals reported hearing a loud explosion as the businesses were struck, with Louisville Metro Police spokesman Matt Sanders telling WDRB the department received 20 calls for service.

Video shared to social media showed a ball of fire emanating from the center of the plane just moments after it departed the runway on Tuesday

The explosion caused a fire to spread out...


(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: spammingfr

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1 posted on 11/04/2025 5:50:46 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

On fire as taking off, strange ,
Engine exploded ?


2 posted on 11/04/2025 5:53:13 PM PST by HereInTheHeartland (“I don't really care, Margaret.””)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The location of the fire is interesting—it looks in the front of the engine.


3 posted on 11/04/2025 5:53:42 PM PST by volare737 ( Diversity is something to be overcome, not celebrated. )
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Another angle of crash

Video
Security camera footage showing UPS Flight 2976 crashing in Louisville, Kentucky
https://rumble.com/v718o42-security-camera-footage-showing-ups-flight-2976-crashing-in-louisville-kent.html


4 posted on 11/04/2025 6:02:50 PM PST by janetjanet998 (Please don’t use google products, especially YouTube )
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To: HereInTheHeartland

From the first gif it looks about where the engine would be

Good guess I think.

My first guess was freight that caught fire, but you’re right, that’s the engine area.


5 posted on 11/04/2025 6:03:00 PM PST by Red6
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Looks like right engine on fire.


6 posted on 11/04/2025 6:05:07 PM PST by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
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To: Red6

I wondered freight as well.
But it wouldn’t have happened that fast to burn through to outside of plane.
Damn shame they weren’t able to kill the throttles and keep it on the ground .


7 posted on 11/04/2025 6:05:11 PM PST by HereInTheHeartland (“I don't really care, Margaret.””)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Hmmm...
Where the heck did I put my tinfoil hat?


8 posted on 11/04/2025 6:13:12 PM PST by SuperLuminal (Where is rabble-rising Sam Adams now that we need him? Is his name Trump, now?)
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To: janetjanet998

Dang


9 posted on 11/04/2025 6:18:48 PM PST by RckyRaCoCo (there are demons out there, and they look like people)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
As far as anyone knows, 11 people on the ground were injured or killed. 4 fatalities so far, 1 was
a victim on the ground, 3 fatalities were the crew members. 1 or 2 of the ground victims are in
the burn unit.

10 posted on 11/04/2025 6:21:43 PM PST by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

11 posted on 11/04/2025 6:23:31 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (I have no answers. Only questions.)
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To: SkyDancer
Yes, the number one engine was seen on fire during takeoff. The plane has 3 engines, an MD-11. I guess the extra power was not enough to save it. It reached a height of about 150 feet before crashing.


12 posted on 11/04/2025 6:27:48 PM PST by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: janetjanet998

I’m surprised there were any survivors.


13 posted on 11/04/2025 6:57:27 PM PST by Thud
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To: Thud

Oh, the survivors were all from the ground fires.


14 posted on 11/04/2025 6:58:50 PM PST by Thud
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To: Governor Dinwiddie

Right ... both UPS and FedEx use them.


15 posted on 11/04/2025 7:08:40 PM PST by SkyDancer ( ~ Am Yisrael Chai ~)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
I could easily be wrong, however my guess, based on a brief look, shows the aircraft appearing to struggle for altitude on 2 of three remaining engines. I wonder, what was airspeed at loss of control?

Weight and balance will likely be carefully examined along with the the power developed by #2 and #3 engines.

Sorry for the loss of the crew (and anyone on the ground), shouldn't have happened.

16 posted on 11/04/2025 7:53:10 PM PST by Seaplaner (Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never...in nothing, great or small...Winston ChurchIill)
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To: HereInTheHeartland

It happened right at decision speed. The worst possible time for it to happen.

CC


17 posted on 11/04/2025 11:37:24 PM PST by Celtic Conservative (Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!)
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