At least seven people have died after a UPS MD-11 cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, authorities confirmed on Tuesday evening.
UPS Flight 2976 was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when it went down shortly after takeoff around 5 p.m. local time on Nov. 4, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced via Instagram that at least seven people were killed and 11 others were injured in the crash. “We are still actively searching the scene,” he wrote, noting that more than 100 firefighters were working to secure the area “for everyone in our community.” The mayor also confirmed that “no hazardous cargo was on board” and asked relatives of those missing to visit the family assistance center at the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy rather than local hospitals.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear echoed the tragic update in a Facebook post, saying, “The news out of Louisville is tough tonight as the death toll has now reached at least seven, with that number expected to rise.” He added that first responders were working to extinguish the fire and monitor air quality. “Please, pray for the families affected, Louisville and all of Kentucky,” Beshear wrote. “We are hurting right now after a heartbreaking day.”
Calling the situation “catastrophic,” Beshear joined emergency officials at Louisville Metro Hall to provide updates. “There are a lot of people hurting who need our love and support,” he said. “Let’s please pray for all those affected and for the dedicated first responders who will be working around the clock to help keep our community safe.”
A massive fire broke out after the crash, sending thick black smoke into the sky. UPS confirmed on its website that three crew members were aboard the plane, though their identities have not been released. “We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville,” the company said. “Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.”
UPS added that it is cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA in their investigation: “We are engaged with the NTSB’s investigation of the accident and are staying in close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration. We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts.”
According to a Wednesday statement from the FAA, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has since reopened, though “multiple taxiways remain closed after UPS Flight 2976 crashed following takeoff around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday.” The FAA said that the NTSB is leading the investigation and “will provide all updates.”
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The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F is a freighter aircraft designed for cargo transport. Louisville’s airport serves as UPS’s global air hub, employing around 12,000 workers who handle over two million packages daily at a five-million-square-foot facility.
The NTSB has not yet released further details on the cause of the crash.
