A UPS cargo plane crashed at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Tuesday evening, killing at least 14 people. The accident occurred around 5:15 p.m. when “a UPS MD-11 aircraft suffered a catastrophic failure during takeoff en route to Honolulu.”

Witnesses reported the aircraft “struggled to gain altitude before crashing near the runway,” leading to fires and damage to nearby industrial buildings. Emergency crews arrived quickly, but the situation soon shifted from rescue to recovery.

Officials confirmed that all three crew members died, along with several people on the ground. Authorities also noted that “several people still unaccounted for,” raising concerns the death toll could increase.

In response, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency to speed up assistance and recovery efforts.

Federal agencies are now investigating the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the effort, and “the aircraft’s black boxes recovered for analysis” may provide key answers.

Airport operations remain partially disrupted as officials continue inspections and manage the aftermath.