9 confirmed dead after UPS plane crash in Kentucky; death toll may rise, governor says 

Nine people are confirmed dead after a United Parcel Service plane crashed while taking off from the Louisville, Kentucky, airport Tuesday night.

Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the total at a briefing Wednesday morning and said the number could “grow by at least one. We’re hoping it doesn’t grow by much more.”

The plane, which was bound for Honolulu, crashed shortly after takeoff and burst into flames, killing three crew members who were on board. Additional fatalities were reported on the ground. An engine on the left wing appeared to be on fire while the plane was taking off in video footage captured by nearby cameras.

Louisville is home to UPS Worldport, described as “the largest fully automated package-handling facility in the world,” with more than 300 flights inbound and outbound daily. The facility paused operations Tuesday night, the company said. Some flights resumed Wednesday morning.

Beshear said the crash could have been worse if it had impacted nearby facilities, including a major Ford plant and the city’s convention center.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. It occurred on day 36 of the federal government shutdown – the longest in U.S. history – which has affected air traffic controllers, who are federal employees.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday the country was about a week away from “mass chaos and mass flight delays,” since controllers would soon miss their second paychecks.