On November 4, 2025, at approximately 5:15 PM local time, a UPS Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo plane, operating as Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. The aircraft was bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, with three crew members onboard. Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames on the left wing during the ascent, leading to a massive fireball upon impact shortly after the crash near the runway. The explosion caused extensive damage to nearby structures and ignited fires in the surrounding area, creating a large plume of black smoke visible from miles away.
Local officials confirmed at least seven fatalities, including all three crew members and four individuals on the ground. Additionally, eleven people were reported injured, with some in critical condition. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the crash’s cause.
In the aftermath, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport suspended all flights, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for a five-mile radius due to hazardous conditions from the fire and debris. The involved MD-11F was a 34-year-old aircraft, originally delivered to Thai Airways in 1991 and converted for cargo use in 2006, with UPS Airlines operating it since then.
The incident has ignited concerns regarding the safety of aging aircraft in cargo operations. As the NTSB investigation unfolds, authorities are assessing the crash’s broader impact on the community. This tragedy has significantly affected Louisville, where UPS is a major employer and the airport plays a vital role in global logistics.
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