What happened
A cargo flight operating from Louisville-Muhammad Ali Intl Airport to Honolulu-Daniel K. Inouye Intl Airport experienced a catastrophic failure during its departure from runway 17R. As the aircraft began its rotation, the left engine caught fire. Despite the fire, the aircraft successfully lifted off the runway, but it was unable to climb effectively, maintaining a nose-up attitude at a maximum altitude of approximately 30 feet while traveling at roughly 183 knots.
After crossing the threshold of runway 35L, the aircraft rolled to the left and struck an industrial building. The aircraft then impacted several other structures and vehicles within the Knopp industrial zone, landing left-wing first. The impact and subsequent post-crash fire resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft type (not specified in source, but part of the cargo service). The wreckage and debris field spanned approximately 800 meters.
The accident resulted in the deaths of all three crew members and 11 people on the ground. Additionally, 23 people on the ground sustained injuries, with two of those injuries classified as serious.
Findings
Post-accident investigations revealed that the number 1 left engine and its pylon detached from the wing structure following the rotation phase. Debris from the engine, including fan blades, was recovered from runway 17R. Investigators are currently examining the catastrophic failure of the left engine and the subsequent loss of power in the number 2 engine, which was caused by the ingestion of debris. Both the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder were recovered with limited fire damage and have been sent to the NTSB for further analysis.