UPS Cargo Plane Crashes Near Louisville Airport

A UPS cargo plane bound for Honolulu crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, erupting into flames and killing at least seven people while injuring 11 others, according to officials.

The wide-body MD-11 freighter went down just before sunset in an industrial area near the airport, igniting multiple buildings and forcing authorities to shut down flight operations overnight. Officials confirmed that all three crew members aboard the aircraft died, along with four people on the ground.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned that the death toll could rise as rescue crews continued searching through debris. “Some of the survivors have very significant injuries,” he said.

Witnesses reported seeing one of the plane’s wings on fire moments before it plunged to the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time, shortly after the jet departed for Hawaii.

Flames spread quickly through nearby warehouses, sending thick black smoke over Louisville. Fire crews worked for hours to contain the blaze, while officials issued a shelter-in-place order within a five-mile radius.

Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft climbed only to 175 feet and reached 184 knots before sharply descending. Investigators believe the plane’s left engine caught fire, but they are examining why the aircraft — designed to remain airborne with one failed engine — fell so rapidly.

“It’s too big a fire for a typical engine fire,” said John Cox, a U.S. air safety expert and retired pilot. “That airplane should have flown on two engines. So now we’ve got to look at what caused it not to fly.”

FAA records show the MD-11 was 34 years old, built by McDonnell Douglas before Boeing acquired the model line. Boeing stated it would assist investigators with technical analysis.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation and dispatched a team to Louisville. The agency typically takes up to two years to determine the probable cause of major aviation accidents.

UPS confirmed the aircraft’s loss and said the crash site’s proximity to Worldport, its global air hub, could temporarily affect operations. “Contingency plans are in place to help ensure that shipments arrive at their final destinations as quickly as conditions permit,” the company said in a statement.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called the event “devastating for the community.” Residents described widespread concern, given UPS’s deep ties to the city. “My heart goes out to everybody at UPS, because this is a UPS town,” said Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe. “We all know somebody who works at UPS, and they’re all texting their friends, their family, trying to make sure everyone is safe. Sadly, some of those texts are probably going to go unanswered.”

UPS, Louisville’s largest employer, has more than 26,000 employees in the region. Airport officials said limited flight operations resumed on the morning of November 5, while recovery efforts at the crash site continue.