Kentucky News

UPDATE: At Least Seven Dead After UPS Cargo Plane Crashes at Louisville Airport

11/4/2025

UPDATE: NOW DEATH TOLL IS AT NINE.

At least sixteen still unaccounted for as search and rescue efforts continue.


At Least Seven Dead After UPS Cargo Plane Crashes at Louisville AirportLOUISVILLE, Ky. — A tragic plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening has left at least seven people dead, according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

The crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. when a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, Flight 2976, departed Louisville en route to Honolulu, Hawaii. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane went down shortly after takeoff, sparking what officials described as a “catastrophic fire.”

Governor Beshear initially reported three fatalities but later confirmed the number had risen to seven, warning that additional casualties could be discovered as recovery efforts continue.

“Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected,” Beshear said, adding that nearby properties suffered heavy damage from debris and fire.

According to UPS, three crewmembers were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash. The company expressed condolences in a statement, saying, “Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve—especially here in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.”

Officials say several nearby businesses, including a recycling facility and an auto parts store, sustained significant damage. A shelter-in-place order was also issued for several miles surrounding the crash site due to flammable and potentially explosive materials.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead. The official cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

This report was compiled using information gathered from law enforcement statements, official press releases, and publicly available news sources.
Advertisements on this page appear at random and are not selected by this website.