Massive fireball erupts as UPS plane crashes at airport, leaving seven dead

A fireball erupts near airport property after reports of a plane crash at Louisville International Airport in Kentucky (Jon Cherry/AP)

A UPS cargo plane has crashed and exploded in a massive fireball while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11, authorities said.

The plane crashed at about 5.15pm local time on Tuesday as it was departing for Honolulu from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.