NTSB official reports UPS plane crash in Louisville with engine detachment.

A federal investigator provided an update on the tragic UPS cargo plane crash that occurred shortly after takeoff from Louisville International Airport, explaining that the left wing caught fire and an engine detached before the plane crashed and exploded, claiming at least 12 lives. The investigation into the incident, led by the National Transportation Safety Board, revealed that the aircraft experienced a fire and engine detachment during takeoff. The debris field was extensive, spanning a half-mile, following the crash. The plane was bound for Honolulu from UPS Worldport at Louisville International when it crashed, and fortunately, the black boxes containing crucial data were recovered by investigators. The investigation aims to uncover the cause of the crash, involving 28 NTSB investigators on the ground. The crash had further consequences, causing minor explosions at nearby facilities, while narrowly avoiding more densely populated areas. The aircraft involved was identified as a 1991 McDonnell Douglas 2 altered into an MD-11 Freighter, currently within Boeing's purview due to a past merger. Aviation experts highlighted similarities to previous incidents involving CF6 engines and emphasized the complexity of investigating the plane's maintenance history for insights into the crash.