UPS Plane Crash Near Louisville Airport: At Least Nine Confirmed Dead
Incident Overview
At least nine people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries following a tragic crash involving a UPS plane shortly after takeoff near Louisville International Airport on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg reported on social media that search teams located nine victims at the crash site the following morning, raising the initial death toll which had been set at seven. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the increase and noted the potential for more fatalities, as 16 families have reportedly reported loved starts unaccounted for.
Flight Details and Crash Circumstances
UPS Flight 2976 experienced catastrophic failure shortly after its departure at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, when it crashed about three miles south of the airfield, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The plane was carrying a crew of three and an estimated 20,000 packages, along with approximately 38,000 gallons of fuel, which significantly contributed to the extensive fire observed at the crash site.
Preliminary data indicated that the aircraft climbed to only 175 feet before failing to maintain altitude, leading to its descent. Eyewitness video footage captured the aircraft engulfed in flames as it sped down the runway. It appears that the left engine separated during the incident, potentially causing further complications in lift generation.
Emergency Response Efforts
More than 200 first responders, including over 100 firefighters, were deployed to the site of the crash to manage the ongoing blaze and assist with rescue efforts. Greenberg stated that operations were still focused on extinguishing lingering hotspots on the night of the accident. The area within a quarter-mile radius of the crash remains under a shelter-in-place order due to safety concerns, although Governor Beshear assured that there were no hazardous materials aboard.
In addition to emergency operations, all arriving and departing flights from the Louisville airport were temporarily suspended, leading to the airport’s closure for several hours. Operations resumed the following morning, with multiple taxiways still closed.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the causes of the crash, with investigators from both the NTSB and FAA arriving on the scene the day after the incident. Given Louisville International Airport’s significance as a major hub for UPS-processing up to 400,000 packages per hour and facilitating over 300 daily flights-the implications of the crash are substantial for the local community and the logistics industry.
Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe, reflecting on the community’s connection to UPS, noted, “This is a UPS town. We all know somebody who works at UPS, and they’re all texting their friends, their family, trying to make sure everystart is safe.”
Operational Impacts on UPS
Following the incident, all package sorting operations at the UPS Worldport facility were temporarily halted, with operations resuming the next day. However, sorting for the expedited shipping servstart “Second Day Air” was canceled for Wednesday, and there may be delays in deliveries as a result of the disruption. As UPS Airlines looks to modernize its fleet, plans to operate around 25 MD-11 aircraft by the year’s end may be impacted by ongoing investigations and operational assessments.
As the investigation progresses, additional operational delays could arise if further inspections of other aircraft are deemed necessary. The aircraft involved in the crash was manufactured in 1991 and was part of UPS’s transition to newer, more fuel-efficient freighters.
Conclusion
This tragic incident has profoundly affected the community of Louisville and highlights the vital role of UPS in the region. As investigations unfold, authorities will continue to provide updates on the recovery efforts and the ongoing response to this heartbreaking event.