Dramatic video footage has emerged online showing the moment a UPS cargo jet crashed during takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, according to local reports.
One of the clips, apparently filmed by airport employees, appears to show the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 already engulfed in flames as it rolled down the runway.
Moments later, a massive fireball and thick black smoke erupt at the end of the runway, consistent with reports of an explosion near or shortly after liftoff.
Other footage, filmed by bystanders, seemingly captures the moment the jet tore through and obliterated several buildings near the airport.
While the exact cause of the crash has not been confirmed, the footage raises questions about whether the aircraft was already experiencing a fire or another emergency before it became airborne.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15pm local time, shortly after departing from Louisville en route to Honolulu. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the crash site, which remains an “active scene with fire and debris.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and has not yet verified the contents of the circulating videos. Both the NTSB and FAA have stressed that the information surrounding the crash remains preliminary.
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