Thousands of Louisville residents reported a fiery explosion after UPS Flight 2976 crashed in November, according to newly released 911 recordings. WAVE obtained 54 minutes of audio documenting the first 10 minutes following the crash, capturing frantic calls from bystanders and workers near the site. Some of the audio is difficult to hear and contains intense emotional reactions.
One caller described the scene:
“Hi, we just saw a plane fall here by UPS. It went up in flames, and it crashed right by the railroad track.”
When asked by the operator for confirmation, the caller said:
“Yeah, it was in front of all of us… one of the wings was on fire, then it just crashed.”
Other calls came from those trapped near the crash site. One worker said:
“I am standing here looking at the black smoke where it just landed on one of our buildings… There’s like about ten of us stuck back here behind a fire that’s going on.”
The operator reassured callers that help was on the way, but panic and fear were evident:
“Oh my God, that’s so many people that just probably died.”
The crash ultimately claimed 14 lives, with 23 others injured.
UPS Response & Investigation
UPS has temporarily grounded all MD-11 planes while the NTSB continues its investigation. Preliminary findings indicate that the left engine and left pylon detached during takeoff, though a full report could take months or even years to complete.
The 911 calls provide a stark look at the immediate chaos and fear experienced by witnesses as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
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