UPS Cargo Plane Crashes in Louisville, Killing Four and Injuring 11

A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, erupting into a massive fireball that killed at least four people and injured 11 others. The MD-11 wide-body freighter, operating as UPS Flight 2976, went down around 5:15 p.m. local time after one of its engines reportedly caught fire during takeoff.

Flames from the crash spread across an industrial corridor near the airport, igniting several buildings and vehicles. Officials confirmed one of the fatalities occurred on the ground, while the 11 injured individuals were hospitalized with varying degrees of burns and trauma. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned that the casualty count could rise as crews continued battling the fires well into the evening.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the crash, noting that the 34-year-old aircraft was fueled for an 8.5-hour flight to Honolulu and carried three crew members. All those aboard are presumed dead. Data from Flightradar24 indicated the plane climbed only to 175 feet before plummeting, reaching a top speed of 184 knots.

Witness video from WLKY-TV captured one wing ablaze moments before the plane hit the ground, followed by a fiery explosion. Officials issued a shelter-in-place order for residents within five miles of the airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation, which could take up to two years to complete.

The crash has temporarily shut down Louisville’s main airfield, disrupting UPS operations at its massive Worldport hub — the company’s largest global sorting facility. UPS, Louisville’s biggest employer with 26,000 local workers, expressed sorrow over the tragedy, pledging full cooperation with investigators.

Residents and local officials described the incident as deeply personal. “This is a UPS town,” said Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe. “Everyone here knows someone who works at UPS. Tonight, our whole community is grieving.”