A UPS cargo plane crashed on the runway at Louisville International Airport during takeoff on Tuesday evening, resulting in at least 12 confirmed fatalities and numerous missing individuals. Authorities reported that emergency crews are transitioning to the recovery phase, with the death toll expected to rise. No victims have been identified as of Wednesday.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed it has retrieved the aircraft’s black boxes, which contain flight data and cockpit voice recordings. Investigators urged the public to submit any debris found within a half-mile radius of the crash site to support the inquiry. Passenger flights at the airport have resumed but face significant delays, while UPS operations began returning to normal around 24 hours after the incident.

The NTSB described the crash as fiery and widespread, with the plane’s left wing catching fire and the left engine detaching. The cause remains under investigation, though the agency emphasized it would not speculate on potential factors during its initial phase. The ground examination is expected to take 7–10 days, with final reports potentially taking over a year. Officials noted the urgency of expediting the process due to the critical role of UPS services.

The Department of Transportation also announced plans to reduce air traffic by 10% at 40 major airports starting Friday if a government shutdown deal is not reached, citing safety concerns related to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.