The cause of the UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky that left 12 people dead has been revealed.
Shortly after taking off from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 plane exploded.
Now, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials have confirmed the crash was caused by the plane's engine falling off during departure.
It is currently unknown whether the detached engine was caused by a fault with the aircraft or through an external force.
Officials have confirmed the crash was caused by the plane's engine falling off during departure
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Flight records show that the plane's fuel tank had undergone repairs in September and that the aircraft was built 34 years ago.
Footage showed a fireball, explosion and an engine lying on the runway in the aftermath of the crash.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, NTSB official Todd Inman said: "We have viewed airport CCTV security coverage, which shows the left engine detaching from the wing during the take-off roll.
"The plane was traveling to Honolulu, Hawaii. There were three souls on board the plane.
Footage showed a fireball explosion and an engine lying on the runway in the aftermath of the crash
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PICTURED: Smoke billows over Louisville after the crash
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"The plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of runway 17R.
"Shortly after clearing that fence, it made impact with structures and the terrain off of the airport property.
'A post-impact fire ensued, which covers approximately almost a half of a mile."
It was initially believed that three people were killed in the crash, however, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed that the number of fatalities had increased to 12.
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Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed that the number of fatalities had increased to 12
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Mr Greenberg told CNN: "First responders are on the scene now that it's daylight again.
"The coroner has been working through the night and is there."
UPS officials went on to confirm there were three crew members on the aircraft at the time of the crash.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian O'Neill said that four people on the ground died.
The victims have not been identified by the authorities.
It remains unknown whether the additional deaths were people on the ground when the plane came down or crew members onboard.
Kentucky's Muhammad Ali International Airport was closed following the crash, but reopened for operations on Wednesday.
However, some flights due to depart on Wednesday were ground to a halt, with those scheduled for Tuesday given priority.
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