News Updated : 9.00 AM (IST)
A UPS cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in at least seven deaths and 11 injuries, according to official briefings from state authorities and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter went down at approximately 5:15 p.m. while departing for Honolulu, exploding on impact in an industrial zone adjacent to the runway. The crash triggered a large fire that spread across nearly a mile and sent dense plumes of smoke into the surrounding area.
Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the casualties and warned that the toll may rise as emergency teams continue to assess the scene. Among the injured, at least two are in critical condition while eight others are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities also noted that two individuals from a nearby auto repair shop remain unaccounted for.
The FAA has confirmed the aircraft's flight path and timeline, while the National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team to conduct a full investigation into the incident.
Firefighters, airport rescue crews, and local first responders worked through the evening to contain the blaze, secure the crash site, and search for survivors. A temporary shelter-in-place advisory was issued for neighbouring areas due to smoke and chemical hazards.
UPS released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
As search and recovery efforts continue, airport operations remain partially suspended, and access to the affected zone has been restricted. Further official statements are expected as the situation develops.
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NEWS Released: &nbsp; 5.01 AM (IST)
A UPS Airlines cargo aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport late on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a massive blaze and a multi-agency emergency response just beyond the airport perimeter.
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The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 operating as Flight 2976, lifted off shortly after 5 p.m. local time, bound for Honolulu. Within moments, it reportedly lost altitude and crashed south-east of the runway area, near Fern Valley Road and Grade Lane, where flames and a thick plume of black smoke were seen rising from the wreckage.
Local police confirmed that injuries have been reported, though the exact number of casualties is still being verified. First responders from the Louisville Metro Police Department, fire crews, airport authorities and federal officials converged on the scene, battling flames and securing the area. A temporary shelter-in-place advisory was issued for residents and businesses within a five-mile radius of the crash site due to smoke and potential hazardous material exposure.
Louisville&rsquo;s mayor called the situation &ldquo;grave&rdquo; and confirmed that multiple people were receiving treatment. Kentucky&rsquo;s governor expressed solidarity with the affected families and said he was travelling to the site for a briefing. UPS has not issued a full statement yet but is expected to cooperate closely with investigators and emergency personnel.
The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an accident case and handed the lead role in the inquiry to the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigators will focus on aircraft performance during take-off, possible mechanical failures, flight-deck communications and maintenance logs, alongside environmental and runway conditions at the time of departure.
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Witnesses described seeing a sudden flash, followed by an explosion as the jet descended. Airport operations were halted immediately, with all outbound and inbound flights grounded until further notice. Surrounding roads were sealed off to allow fire and recovery teams unimpeded access to the charred debris field.
As the search for answers continues, the incident raises urgent questions about the safety of heavy cargo operations and emergency readiness near densely developed airport zones. For now, the priority remains recovery, family support and stabilising the site before investigators begin their detailed forensic work.

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November 5, 2025 | 10:31 IST