At least seven people were killed Tuesday evening and 11 more injured when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky, igniting a massive fire and sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky. Authorities warned the death toll could rise as crews continue searching the wreckage and nearby businesses affected by the impact.
The aircraft, identified as UPS Flight 2976, went down around 5:15 p.m. local time, just three miles south of the airfield, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter, which was bound for Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, had three crew members on board. Officials said the plane was carrying roughly 38,000 gallons—about 220,000 pounds—of jet fuel when it crashed while departing from the west runway.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called it “a catastrophic crash,” confirming at least seven fatalities and 11 people injured, several of them with severe burns. “With that number expected to rise,” he said, urging residents to pray for those affected and expressing his condolences and urged Kentuckians to support those waiting for updates on loved ones. “Anybody who has seen the images and the video know how violent this crash is, and there are a lot of families that are going to be waiting and wondering for a period of time. We’re going to try to get them that information as fast as we can.”
Video footage captured the harrowing moment the aircraft, heavily loaded for a long-distance flight to Hawaii, erupted into a fireball after hitting an industrial area just outside the airport. Two nearby businesses—Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts—were struck by debris and flames. Beshear said Kentucky Petroleum Recycling appeared to have been “hit pretty directly,” while Grade A Auto Parts reported two employees missing. “Because of the nature of these facilities, it may be some time before we can account for everyone or know that no one else was on the grounds,” he added.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services Director Edward Meiman said emergency crews were going door to door to ensure all employees and residents in the surrounding area were safe. “Obviously, everybody can see how big this site actually is,” Meiman said, noting several explosions occurred following the crash.
UofL Health reported receiving 10 patients from the incident, including two in critical condition in its burn center. Authorities also issued a shelter-in-place order soon after the crash due to the intensity of the fire and hazardous smoke. Initially extending five miles from the airport, the order was later reduced to a one-mile radius after air quality assessments.
Police warned residents north of the Outer Loop up to the Ohio River to stay indoors, while Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described the scene as “an incredible tragedy that our community will never forget.” He confirmed multiple injuries and urged people to “stay away from the area” as road closures remained in effect. Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes for Wednesday due to the shelter-in-place advisory.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian C. O’Neill said the fire spanned an area roughly the size of a city block, fueled by the jet’s massive fuel load and nearby petroleum and auto parts storage facilities. Firefighters faced intense conditions as the blaze “was kind of creating its own atmosphere and doing really what it wanted to do,” officials said. The flames were eventually contained late Tuesday night.
Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the crash, though preliminary reports suggest a possible engine issue during takeoff. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA have launched a joint investigation, and a team of federal investigators was dispatched to the scene. Boeing, which acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, said, “Our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected. We stand ready to support our customer and have offered technical assistance to the NTSB.”
UPS, whose global air operations and main hub—known as Worldport—are based in Louisville, said it was suspending package sorting operations at the facility Tuesday night. “We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved,” the company said. It added that family members seeking information could call 800-631-0604.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the images from the scene “heartbreaking” and said, “Please join me in prayer for the Louisville community and flight crew impacted by this horrific crash.”
Authorities expect the site to remain an “active scene for the next several days,” according to Louisville Police Chief Paul Humphrey. “That’s still going to be a mess in that area,” Fire Chief O’Neill added. The FAA said the airport will remain closed until at least 7 a.m. Wednesday, with only relief aircraft permitted in the area under temporary flight restrictions.
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