UPDATES: UPS plane crashes at Louisville International Airport, multiple people dead

The crash happened around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday evening, while a UPS plane was taking off from the airport.

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A UPS plane crashed near the Louisville International Airport shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is reporting that 12 victims have been discovered at the scene of the crash, and several others are hurt. Those numbers are expected to grow. Governor Andy Beshear said 9 different families have reported loved ones unaccounted for.

"A significant search and rescue mission was underway overnight, which is continuing this morning," Beshear shared on social media Wednesday morning.

The FAA confirms UPS Flight 2976 was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, with three crew members on board, when it crashed shortly after take-off. There has been no word from UPS on the condition of the crew members. The fatalities are believed to be people on the ground, according to Greenberg.

Thursday 3:00pm update from the NTSB. Here's what we learned:

Todd Inman says recovering missing people and bringing answers to families is still the top priority for everyone on scene.

The FAA, UPS, IPA (Independent Pilots Association), the Teamsters, Boeing Corporation, and GE Aircraft Engines are all considered parties in the investigation.

"We have no issue bringing in any resource that we need to make sure we have the right people here," Inman said.

What investigators have learned from the flight data recorder:
-both recorders were recovered and disassembled at the Washington DC headquarters
-The downloads were successful and included about 60 hours of information, from multiple flights, including this one
-The voice recorder from the cockpit had about two hours of audio that included the crash flight
-It will take experts a few days to analyze the information and validate it

There have been reports about the engine being worked on before the flight, but UPS is reporting that there was no maintenance issue before the flight.

Thursday, 10:00 a.m. update from Louisville leaders. Here's what we learned:

12 people are dead, and their bodies have been removed from the scene. The coroner is currently working to identify them.

9 people are considered still missing. There could be more, and Mayor Craig Greenberg encouraged families who have not been in touch with a loved to report them as missing.

First responders say the search will continue as they have only just started working underneath the debris.

LG&E is working to restore power to the area however, with so many wires down, it is not safe at this time. They said they are working to do this as soon as possible.

Opening roads around Grade Lane is also a work in progress. Officials are making a plan to do this in the coming days.

There will be a vigil tonight at the Teamsters Local 89 for those lost, injured, or affected by the tragic crash of UPS Flight 2976. The vigil will take place at Union Hall 3813 Taylor Blvd at 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday 4:00pm update from the Kentucky, Louisville leaders. Here's what we learned:

11 people have now died, and Governor Andy Beshear confirms one of those 11 people is a child.

First responders are officially switching from a rescue mission to a recovery mission to protect the health of the crews on scene. Beshear said oftentimes, this kind of search operation will take a toll on first responders, and he doesn't want to cause a heart attack.

Mayor Greenberg, Gov Beshear and Congressman McGarvey have toured the debris field and are describing it as absolutely devastating. It is about half a mile long and not safe for firefighters and first responders overnight.

The FBI will take over debris investigation so if you reported debris in your yard, the FBI will likely be in touch.

JCPS schools will be back in session Thursday.

The coroner is still on site and removing bodies at this time. The coroner will be confirming the identities of the victims.

The child was likely killed while at Grade A Autoparts with their family.

Wednesday 3:00pm update from the NTSB. Here's what we learned:

NTSB Member Todd Inman provided new information about the agency's investigation and early findings after the crash. The plane involved in Tuesday's crash was manufactured in 1991.

"After being cleared for take off, a large plume of fire in the area of the left wing occurred during the take off roll. The plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of Runway 17R", Inman explained.

He said after take off, the plane made intake with structure and terrain off of the airport property, which then lead to a post impact fire, which covers about half of a mile.

Surveillance video shows the left engine detaching from the wing during take off. He said this videos and others are very valuable in determining exactly what happened. They are being sent to the NTSB lab in Washington D.C.

Inman said they have recovered the black box from the crash site. It has suffered some heat damage, but he said that is expected and the technology can handle that.

They will form several groups to examine different parts of the incident, which include:

-Operations will review the history of the accident flight and crew member duties for as many days before the flight as seem relevant

-Structures will document the accident scene, calculate impact angles

-Power plants will examine the engine and engine accessories

-Systems will study the components of the plane's systems

-Maintenance will look at Maintenance records and any work that has been done on the plane

They are also bringing in specialists in air traffic control and human performance.

Wednesday night they will be having a meeting to establish what all outside groups needs to be brought in to assist in the NTSB investigation.

"Our mission is to not only understand what happened but why it happened and to recommend changes to prevent it from happening again," Inman explained.

He expects NTSB investigators to be on scene for the next week.

Wednesday 2:45pm update from UofL Health. Here's what we learned:

There are still two people in the hospital, in critical condition, in connection to the plane crash. He could not go into details on their injuries but said they are working hard to save them.

"This is obviously a huge tragedy in our community", Dr. Jason Smith, CEO of UofL Health, said, "Our hearts go out to our friends and colleagues at UPS... and to all of those who were affected by the incident yesterday."

Smith said they have treated burns, blast injuries, shrapnel injuries, and smoke inhalation injuries related to the fire.

Smith said they activated 'code yellow' Tuesday night before they knew what kind of incident they were dealing with. For example, if it were a passenger plane, they would have expected hundreds and hundreds of injuries.

"When something like this occurs and you don't know the extent of the injuries, you prepare for everything possible," Dr. Smith said.

He said they had multiple other hospitals on stand-by and ready to go into disaster mode, if needed.

Wednesday, 12 p.m. update from Louisville leaders. Here's what we learned:

The Louisville International Airport has partially reopened. One runway is operational. Airport CEO Dan Mann confirms some flights are still being delayed and cancelled.

Mayor Craig Greenberg said everyone's water is safe to drink unless you have been specifically contacted by emergency management personnel.

Greenberg has asked everyone to stop flying drones within the no-fly zone above the flight crash. "Please do not be that person that's getting in the way of our recovery efforts", he said.

He said if they find drones violating this request, the owners risk the drones being confiscated and facing prosecution.

The NTSB is on site and providing updates to local leaders.

Congressman Morgan McGarvey and Greenberg met with NTSB investigators on Wednesday morning. McGarvey said they are going over everything that has to do with this crash with "a fine-tooth comb".

He said the NTSB has partnered with the Red Cross to make sure victims' families are getting the resources and information they need.

Okolona Fire Chief Mark Little said his department did a training just two weeks ago with the airport and Louisville fire to prepare for an emergency like this one. "You hope that's training you never have to use," he said.

Little said there are currently four engines, four trucks, two ambulances, 30-40 firefighters, and a search and rescue team still on scene Wednesday afternoon. He said they are expecting to be on scene for at least a week, working through the 'debris zone'.

They are still battling hot spots near the scene of the crash and working with NTSB to help the investigating agency gain access to what will soon be considered evidence.

The Jefferson County Coroner was at the scene last night and is back at the scene today. The agency is working to confirm identities and notify family members.

The next briefing is expected later this afternoon.

Wednesday 11:30 a.m. update from Governor Andy Beshear. Here's what we learned:

Governor Andy Beshear has declared a State of Emergency in response to the plane crash. He said this is the best way to quickly gain access to resources and funding.

According to Beshear, the efforts on scene have transitioned from search and rescue to search and recovery. As of early this morning, 16 families were still looking for a missing loved one.

He is enacting the Team Kentucky Relief Fund to help the victims' families and the survivors. He said the first thing the fund will pay for will be victims' funerals.

There is a concern about the safety of water in an area near the crash site. Beshear believes this is a heavily industrialized area and not a residential area. We are expecting more information from local Louisville officials.

Wednesday 7 a.m. update:

The airport closed on Tuesday evening, but many of the flights were rescheduled for Wednesday. At this time, airport officials say they do expect passenger planes to begin flying this morning. You can keep an eye on flight status here.

The NTSB is sending a crew of 28 investigators, according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. That team is expected to be on the ground in Louisville by 10 a.m. this morning.

UofL Health said ten patients are being treated in its hospital system Tuesday night, including two patients in critical condition at the UofL Hospital Burn Unit.

Two workers are missing from Grade A Autoparts and Kentucky Petroleum Recycling- the two businesses that were directly impacted by the crash. Greenberg and Beshear have said there could be more people unaccounted for, as the businesses did not have clear numbers on customers.

At least 16 families are looking for their loved ones at this time.

The shelter-in-place has been reduced to those within a quarter-mile radius of the airport. At one point Tuesday evening, that shelter-in-place stretched from the Outer Loop north into Southern Indiana.

JCPS schools are closed on Wednesday.

UPS's Second Day Air sort has been cancelled on Wednesday. Hub and Ramp employees who work in this sector have been asked not to report to work.

Family and friends are asked to report to the LMPD Training Academy at 2911 Taylor Blvd for reunification and to get the latest information about victims.

You can watch a video of the moment the plane attempts to take off, and then crashes on my Facebook page. I do want to let you know, the video is graphic. It appears to have been recorded by a passenger in another plane.

Mayor Craig Greenberg provided an update at 10:35 pm Tuesday. Here's what we learned:

-The number of fatalities has increased to 7 people, expected to rise again, according to Gov Beshear

-First responders are still actively searching the scene, including more than 100 firefighters

-NTSB sending 28 investigators, expected to be in Louisville by 10am Wednesday

-Fire crews still monitoring “hot spots” near the crash site

-Do not touch any debris that might have landed in your property- take pics. This could be used by NTSB when they work to recreate the crash.

-Families can report missing people, get patient updates at 2911 Taylor Boulevard

Governor Andy Beshear provided an update at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Here's what we learned:

-At least 3 fatalities, and that is expected to get larger

-At least 11 injuries, and that number is expected to get larger

-No hazardous material on board the flight

-Two businesses impacted: Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Autoparts

-All but two employees have been accounted for, we are waiting to learn more about them

-Other surrounding businesses, like the Ford Plant and Expo Center, are sheltering in place

-NTSB is leading the investigation and expected on scene at any moment

-Firefighters from departments across Louisville, Lexington ,and surrounding counties are on scene helping to battle the blaze

Shelter in place updates

The shelter-in-place has been reduced to a 1/4 mile radius around the Airport.

An emergency 'shelter in place' alert was issued around 5:40 p.m. for people within five miles of the airport. That includes downtown Louisville, the University of Louisville campus, and several neighborhoods, including Newburg, Okolona, Shively, Highlands, and Camp Taylor.

The shelter-in-place was revised around 7:20 p.m. to include everyone from the Outer Loop northbound to the Ohio River. The shelter in place is for smoke from the plane crash.

The Health Department is urging homes and businesses within the shelter-in-place area to turn off air intake systems and close windows as soon as possible because of the smoke.

Due to the shelter-in-place order, TARC services have been suspended on Tuesday night.

Those within one mile of the airport may notice an odor in the air, but at this time, it is not harmful; air monitoring is in effect.

UofL Hospital updates

UofL Hospital is no longer under a ‘code yellow,’ which means the disaster plan had been activated in response to the plane crash near Louisville International Airport.

Wednesday morning update:

UofL Health received 15 patients across several hospitals and medical centers. 13 of those patients have been discharged and two patients remain in critical condition in the ICU at UofL Health- UofL Hospital.

Here's more information on where the patients were taken Tuesday night after the crash:
 
• Two are at UofL Health – UofL Hospital in the Burn Center in critical condition, two additional were treated with non-life-threatening injuries.
 
• Three patients with non-life-threatening injuries were treated at UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital.
 
• Two patients with non-life-threatening injuries were treated at UofL Health – South Hospital.
 
• One patient with non-life-threatening injuries was treated at UofL Health – Jewish Hospital.

Family and friends are asked to report to the LMPD Training Academy at 2911 Taylor Blvd for reunification and to get the latest information about victims. These families are asked NOT to go to local hospitals at this time.

Louisville Airport updates

All arriving and departing flights at SDF were suspended around 5:30 p.m. The airfield was closed shortly after the crash. The airport is urging passengers to monitor flight status updates via the website. According to a 7:30 p.m. check, several flights slated for Wednesday morning were already cancelled.

Crash investigation updates

Flight 2976 department

The NTSB and FAA are both investigating the crash. The NTSB is leading the investigation and will be providing updates. 28 investigators with NTSB expected to arrive in Louisville by 10 a.m. Wednesday.

UPS released the following statement:

"We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.

"We are engaged with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the accident and are staying in close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration. We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts.

"As a result of the accident, we are halting operations tonight at Worldport. The Next Day Air sort has been cancelled and employees should not report to work tonight."

More Louisville updates

JCPS has cancelled school on Wednesday in response to the shelter in place order from the health department.

This is a developing story that will be updated as I learn more.