3 hours ago
Last Updated:November 05, 2025, 09:38 IST
A UPS cargo plane bound for Honolulu crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali Airport, killing all three crew members and four others.
Image shows smoke and flames rising from the site of a UPS cargo plane crash outside Louisville Airport in Louisville, Kentucky (AFP)
A UPS cargo plane with three people aboard crashed and exploded early on Wednesday while taking off from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky. All on board, including four others, were dead, while 11 others were injured.
According to the Associated Press, the plane crashed about 5.15 pm (US local time) as it was departing for Honolulu from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali Airport.
The plane lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball, it was known.
Videos of the plane crash showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke.
Heartbreaking images coming out of Kentucky tonight.Here’s an update from @FAANews– UPS cargo flight 2976– Crashed around 5:15 ET after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali Airport en route to Honolulu– The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11.
Please… pic.twitter.com/yE1Brhv8cQ
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 4, 2025
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear told a press briefing that he expected the number of dead and injured was going to rise, with the current toll including only those on the ground that were currently accounted for.
UPS said in an earlier statement that three crew members were on board the aircraft, adding that “we have not confirmed any injuries/casualties."
“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 statement read.
“We are engaged with the Transportation Safety Board’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," it added.
“As a result of the accident, we are halting package sorting operations tonight at Worldport. Family members seeking information should call 800-631-0604," the airline statement mentioned.
Mayor Craig Greenberg told WLKY-TV that fuel on the plane was an “extreme reason for concern in so many different ways".
The cause of the crash was under investigation by the FAA and the US Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
UPS’s largest package handling facility is in Louisville. The hub employs thousands of workers, has 300 daily flights and sorts more than 400,000 packages an hour.
A shelter-in-place order was extended to all areas north of the airport to the Ohio River.
The Louisville airport is only a 10-minute drive from the city’s downtown, which sits on the river bordering the Indiana state line. There are residential areas, a water park and museums in the area.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 airplane owned by UPS was manufactured in 1991.
ALSO READ | 6 Killed After Military Chopper Deployed For Typhoon Relief Ops Crashes In Philippines
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
First Published:
November 05, 2025, 07:06 IST
News world 7 Dead As Large UPS Cargo Plane Crashes, Bursts Into Flames During Takeoff In Louisville | Videos
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
