UPS Cargo Plane Crashes After Takeoff in Louisville, Sparks Massive Fire Near Global Air Hub

A UPS cargo plane carrying three crew members crashed just after takeoff from Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 4, 2025. The plane, identified as Flight 2976 to Honolulu, erupted into flames just moments after departure, initiating a full-scale emergency response and temporary shutdown of the airport.

The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 constructed in 1991 and added to the UPS fleet in 2006, had earlier flown to Baltimore before returning to Louisville for its scheduled flight. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick black smoke and flames near the UPS Worldport facility, one of the largest logistics hubs in the world.

Fire crews arrived on the scene to put out the fire while securing the area. Grade Lane was closed between Stooges and Crittenden until further notice because of debris and fire hazards. The Louisville Metro Police confirmed injuries, though it is not certain to what extent. According to the mayor of Louisville, the aircraft had about 280,000 gallons of jet fuel, adding to the intensity of the explosion.

The crash site was in close proximity to UPS's global hub, raising some concern about operational disruptions since the facility handles nearly 300 flights daily, sorting over 400,000 packages per hour. UPS confirmed there were three crew members onboard and cooperated with investigators. Boeing, which now owns the MD-11 program, declined to comment.

The governor of Kentucky took to the occasion, asking for prayers for the victims. Investigations are still on to determine the cause of the crash, with federal agencies working together with the local lot.