UPS Cargo Plane Crashes At Muhammad Ali International Airport In Louisville

A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff at Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday (November 4). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time while departing the West Runway. The plane was en route to Honolulu.

The crash resulted in a fire on the ground, with dark smoke visible above the city. At least seven people were killed and nearly a dozen others injured in the crash. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has asked for prayers for the crew and their families, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. He is traveling to Louisville to assess the situation.

The crash has led to the temporary suspension of all arriving and departing flights at the airport, and the airfield is currently closed. Local authorities have advised residents in areas north of the airport to the Ohio River to shelter in place due to the incident. Mayor Greenberg mentioned that the plane’s fuel load is contributing to the fire on the ground, and all emergency resources are actively responding.

UPS, headquartered in Louisville with its main hub at the airport, employs around 25,000 people in the area. The airport sees approximately 400 flights daily. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the images from the crash as "heartbreaking" and urged prayers for those affected.