A catastrophic accident involving a UPS cargo plane claimed at least nine lives after the aircraft crashed, potentially due to an engine detachment, according to an aviation expert. The tragedy, which unfolded shortly after the Boeing MD-11 departed from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport, has sparked concerns that the number of casualties may increase. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear revealed that 16 families have reported missing loved ones, intensifying fears of a higher death toll.

Mary Schiavo, a former Inspector General for the Department of Transportation, shared her insights with CNN, suggesting that the engine might have fallen off before the plane erupted into flames. “There was visible fire on the left wing, indicating the engine had separated from the aircraft before the final explosion,” she explained. Schiavo, drawing from her extensive experience with similar accidents, noted that this situation appears to be an ‘uncontained engine failure’—a scenario where engine parts are violently expelled.

These expelled components, driven by the engine’s centrifugal force, can severely damage the aircraft, potentially cutting through fuel lines. Schiavo proposed that a ruptured fuel tank might be the cause of the ensuing fireball. While investigators continue their work at the site to make an official determination, images circulating online show what seems to be an engine lying on the airport runway. According to Schiavo, this discovery could prove pivotal in understanding the cause of the crash.

She said: ‘That’s a huge clue and does give the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) a pretty good idea of what started this all off.’ Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed on Wednesday morning that the death toll had risen again to nine. ‘First responders are on the scene now that it’s daylight again. The coroner has been working through the night and is there. NTSB will be arriving shortly in Louisville,’ he told CNN.

Terrifying video shared to social media showed the aircraft attempting to take off with a ball of fire emanating from its left wing. Just moments later, the plane exploded. Dashcam footage also showed the plane crashing back into the runway, leaving a blaze in its wake. It struck two local businesses – Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Autoparts, which Governor Beshear said accounted for all of its employees except for two, who were found later on.

There were three crew members onboard the flight at the time, UPS officials have confirmed. Four of the people killed were on the ground, Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said. The victims have not been identified. It is unclear whether the additional fatalities were members of the crew or people on the ground. Beshear is expected to provide an update on the investigation later on Wednesday morning.

In a post to his X, he added: ‘This is going to be a tough day for Kentucky after yesterday’s deadly plane crash.’ The Louisville airport shut down after the crash but began to resume operations Wednesday morning. Flights canceled Tuesday were prioritized for departure, although some Wednesday flights remained grounded.