Tragic UPS Plane Crash Claims Seven Lives in Kentucky

Sat Dec 20 2025 15:08:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A UPS cargo plane tragically crashed during takeoff from Louisville, resulting in at least seven fatalities and multiple injuries, sparking a major response from emergency services.

A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 5, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals and injuring over eleven others. The aircraft went down around 5:15 PM local time, causing significant damage to nearby businesses and leading to safety concerns due to its cargo of 38,000 gallons of jet fuel. Emergency services were quickly deployed to contain the fire and search for survivors. An investigation into the cause of the crash has been initiated by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Seven people were killed when a UPS cargo plane crashed while taking off from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday evening, the state's governor said.

At least 11 other people were injured when the freight plane exploded as it departed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport at around 17:15 local time (22:15 GMT), sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the plane's three crew members were likely to be among the dead, adding that, Anyone who has seen the images and the video knows how violent this crash is.

Officials warned that people suffered very significant injuries in the incident and the death toll could rise.

UPS flight 2976 bound for Honolulu, Hawaii was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel when it skidded off the runway in Louisville and struck nearby buildings.

The explosion engulfed at least two nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling company. A shelter-in-place order was initially issued for within five miles of the airport due to concerns of further explosions and air pollution, but was later reduced to just one mile.

All departing flights for Tuesday evening were cancelled, the airport said in a statement on X.

Louisville Fire Dept Chief Brian O'Neill said the fire has almost entirely been contained, with crews still deployed at the crash site.

He added: When you have such a large scale incident and fire that spread over such a massive area, we have to use hundreds of personnel to surround it, contain it, and then slowly bring it in.

At a press conference, Beshear warned people not to go to the crash site, saying that, There are still dangerous things that are flammable, that are potentially explosive.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been called to investigate the cause of the crash, with a team set to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday.

Louisville Metro Police Dept Chief Paul Humphrey noted that the crash site will remain an active scene for several days while the investigation proceeds.

The aircraft was a MD-11F, a triple-engine jet, originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and later transferred to UPS. In 2023, both FedEx and UPS announced plans to retire their fleets of MD-11s as part of a modernisation effort.

UPS expressed its condolences about the incident and emphasized its commitment to employee and community safety, noting that Louisville is home to their largest package handling facility.

Mayor Craig Greenberg described the crash as an incredible tragedy that our community will never forget” and praised the first responders for their efforts.