January 14, 2026

UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Louisville

Louisville, January 14, 2026

A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals, including three crew members and twelve people on the ground. The incident, caused by a left engine detachment, led to widespread destruction and is currently under investigation by the NTSB. Reacting to the tragedy, local senators and community members held vigils for the victims, and flags were flown at half-staff in honor of those lost.

UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky – A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 4, 2025, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals. The incident occurred at approximately 5:13 p.m. local time, when the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, experienced a left engine detachment during its takeoff roll. The plane crashed into an industrial area near the airport, leading to a significant fireball and widespread destruction. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the accident.

Details of the Crash

The aircraft, identified as N259UP, was a 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo plane. Shortly after departing from runway 17R, the left engine detached from the wing, causing a fire to ignite. The plane then crashed into nearby structures, including a UPS Supply Chain warehouse and a fuel tank depot, resulting in a fire that continued until impact. The debris field extended approximately 3,000 feet south-southeast from the UPS warehouse. The flight was not carrying hazardous cargo at the time of the crash.

Victims and Casualties

The crash resulted in the deaths of 15 people: all three crew members on board the aircraft and an additional twelve people on the ground. Among the ground fatalities was a three-year-old child and her grandfather. As of December 25, 2025, one individual who sustained severe injuries had died, raising the death toll to 15. The NTSB is leading the investigation into the accident, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been recovered and are being analyzed to determine the cause of the engine detachment.

Reactions and Aftermath

In response to the tragedy, Kentucky U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul expressed their condolences to the victims’ families. A town hall meeting in Louisville with U.S. Senate candidate Nate Morris began with a moment of silence following the accident. Representative Morgan McGarvey thanked the bravery of first responders at the scene. State flags were flown at half-staff in honor of the victims. The Big Four Bridge crossing the Ohio River between Louisville and Jeffersonville, Indiana, was illuminated in yellow, one of the main colors used by UPS, in solidarity. Teamsters Local 89, which represents transportation and warehouse workers including UPS, held a candlelight vigil in honor of the victims of the crash at the local union hall, which began with a moment of silence at 5:14 p.m., marking the time of the crash.

Background on UPS Airlines

UPS Airlines is the United States’ second-largest cargo airline, operating a fleet that includes McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft. Founded in 1988, the company had suffered only two fatal accidents before Flight 2976: UPS Airlines Flight 6 in 2010 and UPS Airlines Flight 1354 in 2013, each of which killed two people (two crewmembers on board in each case). The Louisville airport serves as a major hub for UPS, processing millions of packages daily and handling numerous cargo flights. The company has expressed its commitment to cooperating fully with the NTSB and FAA investigations to determine the cause of the accident and prevent future occurrences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What caused the UPS cargo plane to crash in Louisville?

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the accident. Preliminary findings indicate that the left engine detached from the wing during takeoff, leading to the crash. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been recovered and are being analyzed to determine the exact cause. The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released upon completion.

How many people were killed in the UPS plane crash?

What is the background of UPS Airlines?

Key Features of the UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Louisville

Feature	Details
Location	Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Louisville, Kentucky
Date and Time	November 4, 2025, at approximately 5:13 p.m. local time
Aircraft	McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo plane, N259UP
Flight Details	Scheduled cargo flight from Louisville to Honolulu, Hawaii
Casualties	15 fatalities: 3 crew members and 12 individuals on the ground
Investigation	Led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder recovered
Reactions	Condolences from Kentucky U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul; Teamsters Local 89 held a candlelight vigil
Background on UPS Airlines	Second-largest cargo airline in the U.S.; operates a fleet including MD-11 aircraft; Louisville serves as a major hub