According to a statement by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft, crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport at around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Reports indicate that the aircraft suffered an engine failure shortly after takeoff and went down trailing thick black smoke.
Louisville Metro Police stated that the crash occurred near Fern Valley Road and Grade Lane, and multiple emergency response teams were dispatched to the scene. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed in an evening statement that “at least seven people have lost their lives.”
FAA data show that the aircraft, operating as UPS Flight 2976 and bound for Honolulu, lost altitude and crashed shortly after takeoff.
Louisville Metro Police also reported that injuries had been confirmed in the area, and that Grade Lane between Stooges and Crittenden Drive was closed to traffic indefinitely.
Following the crash, a shelter-in-place order was issued for residents within a five-mile radius of the site. The precaution was taken due to potential fuel leaks and toxic smoke from the wreckage area.
According to UPS, three crew members were on board the aircraft; however, their conditions have not yet been officially confirmed.
Appears that the UPS plane crashed into a neighborhood by the airport in Louisville, Kentucky. Awful.
pic.twitter.com/LbOqI1sDXm— Sam Mirejovsky (@whatsrightsam) November 4, 2025
Statements from UPS and Authorities
In an initial statement, UPS said:
“We are deeply saddened by the accident involving our aircraft operating as Flight 2976. We are working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Our teams are coordinating with state and local authorities as well.”
The FAA has begun an on-site investigation into the cause of the crash, which will be led by the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board).
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said at an evening press briefing:
“More than 100 firefighters are working in the crash area. The fire is under control, but search and rescue operations are still ongoing.”
Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill added:
“First responders have taken precautions against potential fuel leaks and explosion risks. It is still unknown whether anyone remains trapped inside nearby structures.”
Footage and Eyewitness Accounts
Unverified videos shared on social media appear to show one of the MD-11’s engines catching fire during takeoff. Other footage shows a detached engine component near the runway.
Airport officials stated that one runway has reopened, though all departure flights were temporarily suspended.
UPS’s global air hub, known as the Worldport facility, suspended overnight operations following the crash. The company noted that more than 12,000 employees work at the site, which processes around two million packages per day.
The moment it hit the building pic.twitter.com/t82a62f4PD
— Mr Commonsense (@fopminui) November 5, 2025
About the MD-11 Aircraft
The crashed aircraft was a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, registered as N259UP. Manufactured in 1991, the aircraft previously operated in the Thai Airways fleet before joining UPS in 2006.
The tri-jet, wide-body model is primarily used for cargo operations. According to Boeing data, MD-11 aircraft have a maximum takeoff weight of 293,000 kilograms and can carry over 15,000 litres of fuel.
Reactions from Officials and Boeing
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear posted on social media:
“We are praying for the families affected by the UPS crash. State teams are on the ground, and I am heading to Louisville to support the response efforts.”
Boeing released a statement saying:
“We are closely monitoring developments related to UPS Flight 2976. Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of those affected. We stand ready to provide technical assistance to the NTSB.”
Officials stated that analysis of the flight recorders has begun to determine the cause of the crash. Road closures remain in place in the area, and search and recovery operations are expected to continue for several days.
One runway at the airport has reopened following the crash, but cargo operations are expected to take time to return to normal.
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