‘Massive Fireball’: UPS Plane Crashes Near Louisville Airport, Killing at Least Seven
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY — A United Parcel Service cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Tuesday evening, killing at least seven people and injuring eleven others, according to state and local officials.
The aircraft, identified as UPS Flight 2976, went down around 5:15 p.m. EST shortly after departing for Honolulu, igniting a massive fire and sending a thick column of smoke into the sky visible across the city. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said during a press conference that the number of fatalities could rise as recovery operations continue.
“The toughest moments — and I can say it from personal experience — are when you’re wondering whether that person that you know and you care about has survived something like this,” Beshear said.
Two Businesses Struck as Plane Erupts in Flames
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet veered off course and crashed near the airport’s perimeter, hitting two nearby businesses — Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts.
Beshear confirmed that most employees of Grade A Auto Parts had been located but said two workers remain unaccounted for. It’s unclear how many customers were inside the building at the time of the crash.
The plane was carrying an estimated 38,000 gallons of fuel, creating intense flames that spread rapidly through the surrounding area. Fire crews worked for hours to contain the blaze as hazardous smoke drifted over nearby neighborhoods.
Louisville emergency responders issued a shelter-in-place order for residents north of the airport, later narrowing it once air quality levels improved.
Investigation Underway; FAA and NTSB Respond
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the crash. The status of the three crew members on board remains unconfirmed.
“We are still actively searching the scene,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, who confirmed the current death toll at seven. “Our thoughts are with every family waiting for news tonight.”
Authorities have not released any preliminary findings but noted that the large fuel load contributed to the fire’s intensity. The UPS aircraft was part of operations at the UPS Worldport hub, the company’s largest package-handling facility and one of Kentucky’s biggest employers.
Community Impact and Response
Betsy Ruhe, a Louisville Metro Council member whose district includes the airport, described the tragedy as deeply personal for the city.
“We all know somebody who works at UPS,” Ruhe said. “They’re all texting their families trying to make sure everyone is safe. My heart goes out to those families and friends.”
Local hospitals continue treating multiple victims as recovery crews and investigators remain on-site. Officials have not yet confirmed the total number of people involved in the crash or the full extent of the property damage.
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