Disturbing new footage has emerged showing the horrifying moment a plane erupted in flames in a catastrophic crash that claimed 15 lives.

The video has come to light as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates the cause of the fatal accident, which took place on November 4, 2025 in Kentucky.

The UPS aircraft's engine and pylon tore away from the wing during takeoff at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, claiming the lives of three crew members and 12 people on the ground.

The jet, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, was 34 years old at the time of the incident and was bound for Hawaii.

The harrowing footage captures the moment a devastating fireball swallows the aircraft, leaving a vast debris field in its wake..

The FAA grounded all MD-11s for months following the disaster.

The NTSB is convening a hearing this week in Washington to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The victims on the ground were identified as Angela Anderson, 45, Carlos Fernandez, 52, Trinadette "Trina" Chavez, 37, Tony Crain, 65, John Loucks, 52, John Spray, 45, Matthew Sweets, 37, Ella Petty Whorton, 31, Megan Washburn, 35, Louisnes Fedon, 47, and his 3-year-old granddaughter Kimberly Asa.

Alain Rodriguez Colina, who sustained severe injuries in the crash, lost his battle for survival on Christmas Day.

UPS named its employees Capt. Richard Wartenberg, 57, First Officer Lee Truitt, 45, and International Relief Officer Capt. Dana Diamond, 62, as the three crew members aboard the ill-fated flight. At the time of the incident, the aircraft was reported to be carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel when it came down.

Aviation attorney Pablo Rojas said: "Really the plane itself is almost acting like a bomb because of the amount of fuel."

The resulting blaze engulfed the vast aircraft before spreading to neighbouring businesses.

Hundreds of firefighters worked through the night tackling the flames across "a massive area" while searching for potential casualties.