A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, killing at least four people and injuring 11 others, according to officials. The aircraft, identified as a wide-body MD-11 freighter operating as UPS Flight 2976, had departed for Honolulu around 5:15 p.m. when witnesses reported flames coming from one of its wings.
Video recorded by local media showed the aircraft on fire as it climbed into the air before sharply descending and hitting the ground, where it exploded into a large fireball. The crash sparked fires that spread to nearby industrial buildings, sending thick smoke over the area. One person on the ground was among the four confirmed dead.
Emergency crews worked for hours to control multiple fires, and officials said the number of casualties could increase. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said several of the injured suffered serious burns and that rescue efforts were complicated by dangerous conditions at the crash site. A shelter-in-place order was issued for residents within a five-mile radius.
UPS confirmed that three crew members were aboard the aircraft and are feared to have died. The plane was fully fueled for a long flight to Hawaii. Data from the FAA showed the jet reached only 175 feet in altitude before losing control. Investigators are examining reports that an engine may have broken off in midair, which could explain why the aircraft was unable to continue flying.
The MD-11 involved in the crash was 34 years old and had flown earlier in the day. Boeing, which now owns McDonnell Douglas, said it will assist investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation that may take more than a year to complete.
Louisville is home to UPS Worldport, the company’s largest global air cargo facility. The crash temporarily halted operations at the airport, raising concerns about delays for major companies and shipping networks. Local officials expressed grief for the victims and the city’s UPS community, noting that many families may be waiting for news.
Aviation experts say the key question is why the aircraft could not stay airborne despite having two remaining engines. Investigators will analyze debris, maintenance history, and flight data to determine the cause of the fire and sudden loss of control.
