UPS Plane Crashes After Takeoff at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport Shelter-in-Place Issued
A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after taking off from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, sending flames and thick black smoke into the air as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
According to officials, the crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time, just minutes after departure. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before seeing a massive plume of smoke visible for miles.
Emergency Response and Fire at the Scene
The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) confirmed that multiple emergency crews — including fire, police, and airport rescue units — responded immediately to the fiery wreck.
Authorities described the crash site as being covered in “fire and debris,” prompting a shelter-in-place order for all residents and businesses within five miles of the airport.
“A shelter-in-place order has been issued for all locations within 5 miles of the airport,” the LMPD announced on X (formerly Twitter).
Officials have confirmed that injuries were reported, though the number of victims and their conditions remain unclear. It is also not yet known how many people were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.
What We Know About the Aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement Tuesday night confirming the aircraft as UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet that had departed from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 4, after departing from Louisville,” the FAA said. “The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide all updates.”
According to FlightAware, a UPS cargo flight was scheduled to depart Louisville at 5:02 p.m., though it has not yet been confirmed whether that was the same aircraft involved in the crash.
In a statement, UPS confirmed ownership of the plane, adding that the company was “working closely with authorities to assess the situation.”
Airport Operations Suspended
Following the crash, the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport temporarily closed the entire airfield as emergency crews continued firefighting and recovery operations.
“The airfield is closed at this time due to an aircraft incident. Please avoid the area and follow updates from official channels,” the airport posted on X.
All inbound and outbound flights were suspended as officials secured the crash zone and assessed potential hazards.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash. Both the FAA and UPS are expected to assist in the process, which will include reviewing flight data recorders, crew communications, and maintenance history.
Officials have not yet provided any information regarding possible causes, though witnesses described the plane as “struggling to gain altitude” moments before it went down.
A Developing Story
The Louisville community remains on edge as emergency teams continue their response late into the evening. The shelter-in-place order is expected to remain active until authorities determine that the air and surrounding area are safe.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available from the FAA, NTSB, and local authorities.
