UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Louisville: At Least 7 Confirmed Dead, 11 Injured

Thu Nov 13 2025 13:23:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A UPS cargo flight tragically crashed while taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in multiple fatalities and significant injuries. The incident has raised concerns over aviation safety and response measures.

A UPS cargo plane crashed on takeoff at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in at least seven fatalities and 11 injuries. Eyewitness accounts describe a violent explosion and significant damage near the crash site. Authorities expect the death toll may rise as investigations continue, and Louisville's aviation hub remains closed as a precaution. Local officials are closely monitoring the situation, addressing safety concerns and providing support to those impacted.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A UPS cargo plane tragically crashed during takeoff from Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in a massive explosion and fireball that left at least seven people dead and 11 others injured.

The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday as the flight was set to depart for Honolulu. Footage from the scene revealed flames erupting from the aircraft's left wing before it lifted slightly off the ground and crashed nearby, devastating both the plane and adjacent structures.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the death toll had risen to seven, with four of the deceased being individuals not aboard the aircraft. The condition of the three crew members onboard remains uncertain, as medical teams reported that some injuries sustained by survivors were quite severe.

Images and videos of the crash underscore the violence of the incident, Governor Beshear remarked during press briefings. Emergency services responded promptly to the catastrophe, but challenges remained in managing the site, particularly due to the large volume of fuel onboard the aircraft.

The plane involved was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 manufactured in 1991. Eyewitnesses recounted the alarming sights and sounds surrounding the event. It sounded like a bomb exploding, recalled one bystander, while others feared for the safety of friends and loved ones who work for UPS.

UPS’s global hub in Louisville is crucial to the company’s operations, managing 300 flights daily and processing over 400,000 packages an hour. Following the crash, UPS suspended all package sorting activity at the facility without announcing a timeline for when operations might resume.

As investigations into the cause of the crash unfold, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is sending a team to assess the situation. Louisville Metro Council members and local officials are greatly concerned about the incident's repercussions on community safety and aviation regulations.

Among those affected by the crash's impact were employees at a nearby recycling business who experienced the explosion's terrifying force. As the situation evolves, local leaders are focused on providing support and information as families cope with the aftermath.

The airport, situated just a short drive from downtown Louisville, has been shut down, with officials indicating that operations may not resume until the following morning. The community awaits further updates, hoping for the swift resolution of this crisis and clarity on the future of their local aviation safety.