On November 4, 2025, a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky.
The MD-11 with registered N259UP, was operating UPS Flight 2976 to Honolulu, Hawaii, when the accident occurred. Three crew members were on board at the time of the crash.
Local authorities confirmed that emergency services responded to the scene, with reports of injuries and significant structural damage in the surrounding area.
Fire During Takeoff Roll
According to early witness accounts, the left wing and engine of the MD-11 appeared to be on fire during the takeoff roll. Moments later, the aircraft crashed near the airport perimeter around 5:15 p.m. local time, erupting into flames.
Footage shared on social media shows a large plume of smoke visible across much of the Louisville area.
Louisville Metro Police spokesperson Matt Sanders stated that the incident generated more than 20 emergency calls for service shortly after the crash. Several nearby buildings were reportedly destroyed in the impact and ensuing fire.
Emergency Response, Airport Closure
A shelter-in-place order was issued around 5:30 p.m. for residents within a five-mile radius of the airport due to heavy smoke and potential hazards from burning jet fuel. Firefighters and airport emergency crews worked to contain the blaze and secure the area, as flights into and out of Muhammad Ali International Airport were temporarily suspended.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident in an official statement, noting that UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. after departing Louisville.
Moreover, the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead in determining the cause of the accident.
“At approximately 5:20 PM ET tonight, UPS Flight 2976 from Louisville, KY, to Honolulu, an MD-11 with three crewmembers onboard, was involved in an accident in Louisville. At this time, we have not confirmed any injuries/casualties,” stated the airline spokesperson.
UPS added that it will release more details as they become available, emphasizing that the NTSB will serve as the primary source for official investigation updates.
Louisville’s Role in UPS Operations
Louisville is home to UPS Worldport, the company’s global air hub and largest package-handling facility. The 5.2 million-square-foot complex manages over 300 daily flights and sorts more than 400,000 packages per hour, enabling UPS to reach 95% of the U.S. population within four hours by air.
UPS is also the largest employer in the Louisville metropolitan area, with more than 20,000 employees supporting its massive logistics network. The crash marks a serious incident for the carrier’s Louisville operations, which serve as the core of its global express delivery system.
Investigation Underway
While the exact cause of the crash remains unknown, preliminary information suggests the fire on the left engine may have been a contributing factor. Both the FAA and NTSB have dispatched investigators to the crash site, where wreckage recovery and black box retrieval efforts are underway.
Authorities have yet to confirm the condition of the three crew members onboard, and no official casualty figures have been released as of now.
Muhammad Ali International Airport remains closed to all arriving and departing flights as emergency and investigation efforts continue.
This is a developing story.