A dramatic dash-camera recording from a truck parked near the runway at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport captures the moment a United Parcel Service (UPS) freighter encountered a catastrophic malfunction on Tuesday afternoon.

The footage shows the aircraft’s left engine engulfed in flames as it accelerates for take-off. Moments later the jet rolls over and crashes in a fireball near a cargo lot. “Ohhh s–t!” the truck driver shouts. “Oh my f–king god!” as the plane explodes before his eyes.

The dash-cam shows the jet, fueled for a long-haul flight to Hawaii, lifting off, engine ablaze. Within seconds, the aircraft rolls, crashes among cargo trucks, and erupts in flame.

According to authorities from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the left engine detached following a “large plume of fire” erupting from the left wing during the take-off roll.

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Shortly after clearing the fence at the end of Runway 17R, the aircraft made impact with structures and terrain off the airport property.

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What led to the explosion?

At least 12 people are now confirmed dead, including the aircraft’s three crew members and nine others who have yet to be identified, according to Craig Greenberg, the mayor of Louisville.

Meantime, Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky, said one of the victims is believed to be a young child, “which makes it all the harder.” Two individuals remain hospitalised in critical condition.

A “very large field of debris” remains at the crash site, as officials continue to search for any other victims. Two ground-businesses adjacent to the crash area – a petroleum recycling plant and an auto-parts yard – were impacted. The site will remain active for “at least a week or longer,” according to fire-rescue officials.

‘Like a scene out of a ‘Terminator’

Congressman Morgan McGarvey described the site, “like a scene out of a ‘Terminator’ movie.” He said the smells and sights will not be forgotten. Mayor Greenberg said: “There are no words that I can provide to any family members … that they haven’t heard from yet.”

The NTSB has recovered the aircraft’s black boxes and will transport them to Washington, D.C. for analysis. The investigation will also receive support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). At present, no preliminary cause has been released.

After the crash, Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency to assist the response. Schools in Jefferson County were closed under a shelter-in-place order on Wednesday, though officials expect them to reopen after inspections confirm safe air and water quality. The airport reopened early Wednesday morning, but response operations at the crash site continue.