Louisville, Kentucky — A tragic aviation disaster unfolded Tuesday evening when a UPS cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, sending shockwaves across the region and prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Authorities confirmed that the aircraft involved was UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. The crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time on November 4, 2025, moments after takeoff.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash. “The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide all updates,” the agency said in a brief statement, noting that early details remain preliminary.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addressed the state’s grief during a press briefing, urging residents to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts. “Please, pray for the families affected, Louisville, and all of Kentucky. We are hurting right now after a heartbreaking day,” he said. Beshear also cautioned that hazardous cargo may have been on board, advising residents to follow any shelter-in-place orders as a precaution.
Emergency services from across the state quickly converged on the crash site, including multiple fire departments, local and state police, and hazardous materials teams. More than a dozen agencies coordinated efforts to contain fires, secure the area, and assist potential survivors.
Early reports confirmed multiple fatalities and serious injuries. By late evening, officials said at least seven people had been confirmed dead, with others hospitalized in critical condition. A family reunification center was established at the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy to assist relatives seeking information.
Two local businesses—Kentucky Patrol and Recycling and Grade A Autoparts—were directly affected by the impact. While most employees were accounted for, two individuals remained missing as of Tuesday night. Because the crash occurred in a mixed industrial area frequented by delivery workers and customers, officials warned that identifying all victims would take time.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene as the aircraft descended sharply and erupted into flames upon impact. Thick black smoke could be seen for miles across the city.