Louisville UPS Plane Crash Kills Four, Injures Several Others

Louisville, Kentucky: A UPS cargo plane crashed and caught fire shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, killing at least four people and injuring 11 others.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear called it a “catastrophic crash,” which occurred around 5:15 p.m. The plane, UPS Flight 2976, was headed to Honolulu and was carrying about 38,000 gallons of fuel when it went down. The aircraft struck two nearby businesses — Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts — causing severe damage.

Authorities said two employees from Grade A Auto Parts are still missing, and there may have been customers inside at the time. “It may be some time until we can account for everyone,” the Governor said.

UofL Health confirmed that 10 people were treated at its hospitals. Two are in critical condition in the burn unit, while the rest are expected to recover.

Video footage showed flames coming from the plane’s left wing before it exploded moments after takeoff. Officials have warned that the fuel spill and debris could cause environmental problems in the surrounding area.

JUST IN: The plane that crashed near the Louisville, Kentucky airport was a UPS MD-11 plane, according to CNN.
A shelter-in-place has been issued for locations within 5 miles of the airport.
“The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F is a freight transport aircraft manufactured originally… pic.twitter.com/OUlX92eQZl
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 4, 2025

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Residents within one mile of the airport remain under a shelter-in-place order. Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes and activities for Wednesday because of the ongoing emergency.

Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said search and rescue teams are checking every nearby building for survivors. “This will be an active scene for several days,” he added.

UPS confirmed that operations at its Worldport hub — the company’s largest air facility — have been temporarily halted. “We are deeply saddened by the accident. Our thoughts are with everyone affected,” UPS spokesperson Jim Mayer said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash, with UPS cooperating in the efforts.

Authorities have set up a victim reunification center at the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy, with support from chaplains, the Red Cross, and victim services.

All flights at the Louisville airport were suspended Tuesday night, and travelers have been asked to check with their airlines for updates.

Several nearby roads, including ramps to and from Interstate 65, remain closed as emergency crews continue cleanup and investigation efforts.

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