Horrid moment engine flies off UPS Flight 2976 just before Louisville crash that killed 15

Emergency crews rushed to the crash site within minutes as thick black smoke filled the area. Firefighters battled intense flames while rescue teams searched the wreckage late into the night.

Authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities, though investigators are still working to determine the exact number of victims and identify everyone who was onboard.

Aviation experts say a complete engine separation during flight is considered extremely rare, particularly on large commercial or cargo aircraft. Specialists note that modern planes are designed with multiple safety systems intended to prevent catastrophic failures even during serious mechanical emergencies.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are expected to conduct extensive examinations of maintenance records, flight data, weather conditions, and recovered debris from the aircraft.