At least three people are dead, and another 11 people are wounded after a UPS plane crashed near the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening.
The plane that went down was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, CBS Louisville affiliate WLKY reported. Those aircraft are primarily flown by companies like UPS and FedEx to transport cargo. UPS issued a statement confirming that the crash occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m., adding that three crew members were onboard.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at a news conference that three people are confirmed to be dead as of Tuesday evening, adding that the number of dead could rise due to some of the wounded having “very significant” injuries. At least two businesses were hit by the plane when it crashed to the ground, according to Beshear. It appears that the three people who were reported dead were on the ground when the plane crashed. Beshear said at the news conference, “We do not, at the moment, have the status of the crew.”
Videos posted on social media showed a massive explosion after the crash, with plumes of smoke rising into the air. Officials issued a shelter-in-place order for people within a five-mile radius of the airport. Since the plane was on a long trip to Hawaii, it was fully fueled. The fire following the crash quickly spread to nearby buildings, including a recycling center, according to WLKY.
CCTV captures UPS flight UPS2976 crashing shortly after departing Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. pic.twitter.com/9WyrcpSkdd
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 4, 2025
JUST IN: Crews are responding to a plane crash near the Louisville airport, and police say there are injuries.https://t.co/NIg5UOSVoo pic.twitter.com/i2BLFYKEFx
— WLKY (@WLKY) November 4, 2025
The UPS plane went down around 5:15 p.m. local time as it was departing for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Other videos circulating on social media appear to show the left wing of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 catching fire as it cruises down the runway before takeoff.
Video circulating now online shows the moments the UPS MD-11 crashed near the #Louisville airport.
It looks like there may have been an engine fire but the plane was likely past the point of no return and could not abort the take off in time.@KHOU pic.twitter.com/7yz1Wf3X7E
— Pat Cavlin (@pcavlin) November 4, 2025
“Heartbreaking images coming out of Kentucky tonight,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “Please join me in prayer for the Louisville community and flight crew impacted by this horrific crash. The @NTSB and @FAANews are mobilizing to get on the ground and will lead the investigation.”
Heartbreaking images coming out of Kentucky tonight.
Here’s an update from @FAANews
– UPS cargo flight 2976
– Crashed around 5:15 ET after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport en route to Honolulu
– The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11.Please… pic.twitter.com/yE1Brhv8cQ
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 4, 2025
The Louisville International Airport said at 6:37 p.m. ET that “all arriving and departing flights are temporarily suspended and the airfield is closed.” The airport serves as the worldwide air hub for UPS, with around 300 UPS flights taking off and landing at the airport every day.
This is a developing story; refresh the page for updates.
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