UPS MD-11 crashes after takeoff from Louisville Airport, killing at least seven

A UPS cargo jet crashed and exploded in flames shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) on November 4, 2025, killing at least seven people and injuring 11 others, according to Kentucky officials. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter, operating as UPS Flight 2976 to Honolulu, caught fire moments after liftoff and crashed near the company’s massive Worldport hub. 

Fire and impact near Worldport hub 

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the widebody freighter went down at approximately 17:15. local time on November 4, 2025, after departing Runway 17R. The aircraft climbed only briefly, reaching no more than 200 feet, before rolling left and crashing in an industrial area beyond the runway. The impact triggered a massive explosion and fire, sending black smoke towering over the airport. 

Authorities said the aircraft was carrying about 25,000 gallons (94,600 liters) of jet fuel at the time of the crash, which fueled the extensive post-impact fire that engulfed nearby buildings and vehicles.

Footage circulating on social media shows the MD-11 already ablaze as it accelerated down the runway, its left engine trailing flames. Witnesses reported seeing “sparks or fire” from the left engine moments before the aircraft left the ground. 

[ ÉTATS-UNIS ] Un avion cargo UPS de type McDonnell Douglas MD-11 s’est écrasé à son décollage à l’aéroport de Louisville, dans le Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/SvKsHtLq7T— Little Think Tank (@L_ThinkTank) November 4, 2025

The jet became airborne for only a few seconds before crashing off the end of the runway, igniting multiple structures near UPS’s facility. Emergency crews rushed to the scene as fuel-fed fires spread through the debris field. 

Newly released footage captured by the dashcam of a truck driver, showing today’s crash of UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Cargo Plane operated by UPS Airlines, during takeoff from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/bLKKoZstRP— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 5, 2025

Casualties and emergency response 

During a late-evening press conference on November 4, 2025, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed four fatalities on the ground and said officials believe the total number of deaths will rise to at least seven once recovery operations conclude.

“We still have first responders actively searching the scene right now,” Greenberg said. “There are more than a hundred firefighters from across the region still working to make it safe and to locate any additional victims.” 

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear earlier described the incident as “heartbreaking,” noting that the death toll was expected to increase. Eleven people were taken to hospitals with injuries, according to city officials. 

Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neal said the blaze was now “almost entirely contained” but that crews were continuing a grid-by-grid search across the crash area, which spans nearly a city block. He urged residents near the site not to touch any debris and to report it via an online form being set up by city authorities. 

Authorities are reporting that at least 25,000 gallons of jet fuel was onboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 at the time of the crash in Louisville, Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/TOG40kefBA— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 4, 2025

O’Neal also confirmed that no hazardous cargo was onboard and that fuel and oil leaks from nearby storage tanks had been contained after several minor secondary explosions. A shelter-in-place order remains in effect within a one-mile radius while air-quality monitoring continues. 

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport will remain closed overnight but is expected to reopen on November 5, 2025. Officials advised travelers to check with airlines for cancellations or delays. Louisville’s public schools will remain closed on November 5, 2025, the mayor said. 

Investigation and NTSB deployment 

Mayor Greenberg announced that a 28-member National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) team will arrive in Louisville by 10:00 local time on November 5, 2025, to begin the investigation. The NTSB will lead the inquiry under the federal Family Assistance Act, which coordinates support between the agency and UPS for the families of victims.

The FAA confirmed the aircraft involved was MD-11 F N259UP, built in 1991 and operated by UPS since 2006. Investigators will analyze flight data and cockpit voice recorders, maintenance logs, and operational records to determine the cause. 

UPS issued the following statement: “At approximately 5:20 pm ET tonight, UPS Flight 2976 from Louisville, KY, to Honolulu, an MD-11 with three crewmembers onboard, was involved in an accident in Louisville. At this time, we have not confirmed any injuries/casualties. UPS will release more facts as they become available, but the National Transportation Safety Board is in charge of the investigation and will be the primary source of information about the official investigation.” 

Imagery from the @WLKY helicopter feed appears to show a piece of engine cowling on the runway, damage to nearby building, as well as the massive fire caused by the crash in Louisville. https://t.co/91twrqGbZc pic.twitter.com/PtXrUuGadT— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 4, 2025

Aircraft and operational background 

The MD-11, a three-engine derivative of the DC-10, is known for its demanding handling characteristics during takeoff and landing. While the model has been phased out by many passenger carriers, it remains a workhorse of the global air-cargo industry, including fleets operated by UPS and FedEx. 

Louisville’s Worldport is UPS’s global logistics hub, processing hundreds of flights daily. The crash caused a temporary shutdown of all airport operations and multiple diversions. By late evening on November 4, 2025, firefighters continued to cool the wreckage and monitor air quality across the surrounding neighborhoods. 

The weather at the time of the crash was clear with calm winds. The NTSB stated that an initial briefing is expected before noon on November 5, 2025, with a preliminary report to follow within approximately 10 days. The post UPS MD-11 crashes after takeoff from Louisville Airport, killing at least seven appeared first on AeroTime.

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