Louisville, December 11, 2025
A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in the tragic loss of 14 lives. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft was on its way to Honolulu when a catastrophic failure occurred shortly after takeoff. The incident not only claimed the lives of the three crew members aboard but also 11 individuals on the ground, including a young child. The investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board is underway to ascertain the cause of the crash and to implement necessary safety measures.
Louisville, Kentucky: UPS Cargo Plane Crash Claims 14 Lives
On November 4, 2025, a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, resulting in 14 fatalities. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, experienced a catastrophic failure, leading to the loss of all three crew members and 11 individuals on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is actively investigating the incident to determine its cause.
Crash Details
The aircraft, identified as UPS Airlines Flight 2976, took off from the airport’s Runway 17-R at approximately 5:13 p.m. local time. Shortly after becoming airborne, a large plume of fire was observed emanating from the left wing. Surveillance footage revealed that the left engine detached from the plane, which then crashed into nearby structures, including a semi-truck parking area and an auto scrap yard. The impact resulted in a debris field approximately half a mile in length. The crash led to the deaths of all three crew members and 11 individuals on the ground, including a three-year-old child and her grandfather. Additionally, 23 people sustained injuries, with two classified as serious and 21 as minor. The aircraft was carrying approximately 20,000 packages and 38,000 gallons of fuel at the time of the crash.
Investigation and Findings
The NTSB has initiated a thorough investigation into the crash. A spokesperson confirmed that the left engine detached from the aircraft during takeoff. Both the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder, commonly known as black boxes, were recovered from the wreckage. Despite suffering heat damage, specialists are confident they can extract valuable data from these devices. Preliminary findings indicate that a repetitive warning bell was audible in the cockpit 37 seconds after takeoff, suggesting potential engine trouble. The NTSB is analyzing this data to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Community Impact and Response
The crash has profoundly affected the Louisville community. Local businesses, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, were directly impacted by the incident. In response, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and established a relief fund to assist those affected. The fund aims to provide support for funeral expenses and other immediate needs of the victims’ families.
Background on UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines, a subsidiary of United Parcel Service, is the United States’ second-largest cargo airline, operating a fleet of MD-11 aircraft. The MD-11, a wide-body, tri-jet airliner, has been in service since the early 1990s. This incident marks the deadliest in UPS Airlines’ history, surpassing previous accidents in 2010 and 2013, each resulting in two fatalities. The company has expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and is cooperating fully with the NTSB’s investigation.
Ongoing Investigation and Safety Measures
The NTSB continues to investigate the cause of the crash, with a final report expected within a year. In the interim, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency order grounding all MD-11 aircraft pending inspections. Both UPS and FedEx have complied with this directive, grounding their combined fleet of over 50 MD-11 jets. The FAA cited a potential widespread safety risk in similarly designed aircraft, suggesting that comprehensive inspections of engines and pylons may be required before these planes can return to service. The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Key Features of the UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Louisville
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 4, 2025. |
| Aircraft | McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo plane. |
| Fatalities | 14 people, including all three crew members and 11 individuals on the ground. |
| Injuries | 23 people, with two classified as serious and 21 as minor. |
| Investigation | The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash, with a final report expected within a year. |
| Response | Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and established a relief fund to assist those affected. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order grounding all MD-11 aircraft pending inspections. Both UPS and FedEx have complied with this directive, grounding their combined fleet of over 50 MD-11 jets. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What caused the UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash. Preliminary findings indicate that the left engine detached from the aircraft during takeoff, leading to the crash. A repetitive warning bell was audible in the cockpit 37 seconds after takeoff, suggesting potential engine trouble. The NTSB is analyzing this data to determine the exact cause of the crash.
How many people were affected by the crash?
The crash resulted in 14 fatalities, including all three crew members on board the aircraft and 11 individuals on the ground. Additionally, 23 people sustained injuries, with two classified as serious and 21 as minor. The aircraft was carrying approximately 20,000 packages and 38,000 gallons of fuel at the time of the crash.
What actions have been taken in response to the crash?
In response to the crash, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and established a relief fund to assist those affected. The fund aims to provide support for funeral expenses and other immediate needs of the victims’ families. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also issued an emergency order grounding all MD-11 aircraft pending inspections. Both UPS and FedEx have complied with this directive, grounding their combined fleet of over 50 MD-11 jets.
What is the status of the investigation into the crash?
The NTSB continues to investigate the cause of the crash, with a final report expected within a year. In the interim, the FAA has issued an emergency order grounding all MD-11 aircraft pending inspections. Both UPS and FedEx have complied with this directive, grounding their combined fleet of over 50 MD-11 jets. The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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