At least seven people have died following the crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo plane near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky, authorities confirmed Tuesday evening.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 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. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced that there were at least seven fatalities and 11 others injured in the crash, noting that more than 100 firefighters from across the region were working to secure the area. He added that no hazardous cargo was on board and directed families searching for loved ones to the family assistance center at the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy rather than local hospitals.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also confirmed the death toll, writing in a Facebook post that the number “is expected to rise.” He described the situation as “catastrophic,” asking the public to pray for those affected and to support the first responders “working around the clock” at the scene. “We are hurting right now after a heartbreaking day,” Beshear said.
Following the crash, a large fire broke out, sending thick black smoke into the sky near the airport. Emergency vehicles quickly surrounded the site as responders battled the flames and worked to contain potential hazards.
UPS confirmed that three crew members were on board the plane at the time of the crash. Their identities have not yet been made public. In a statement on its website, the company expressed sorrow over the tragedy: “We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. 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.” The company also stated it was cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA during the ongoing investigation.
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In an update on Wednesday, Nov. 5, the FAA confirmed that Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport had reopened, though several taxiways remained closed. “The FAA and NTSB are on the scene investigating. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide all updates,” the agency said.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F aircraft is a dedicated freighter designed to carry cargo rather than passengers. Louisville’s airport serves as UPS’s global air hub, employing about 12,000 people and processing over 2 million packages daily within its 5-million-square-foot facility.
The National Transportation Safety Board has not yet released additional information as the investigation continues.
