{"id":344624,"date":"2025-12-15T02:52:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T02:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/som2nynetwork.com\/airline\/ups-md-11-crashes-near-louisville-airport\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T02:52:59","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T02:52:59","slug":"ups-md-11-crashes-near-louisville-airport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/som2nynetwork.com\/?p=344624","title":{"rendered":"UPS MD-11 Crashes Near Louisville Airport"},"content":{"rendered":"


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On November 4, 2025, a UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The MD-11<\/a> with registered N259UP, was operating UPS Flight 2976 to Honolulu, Hawaii, when the accident occurred. Three crew members were on board at the time of the crash.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Local authorities confirmed that emergency services responded to the scene, with reports of injuries and significant structural damage in the surrounding area.<\/p>\n

Update: November 5, 23:30 UTC<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Investigators have recovered both black boxes from UPS Flight 2976, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman.<\/p>\n

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\u201cOnce we get these to our lab in DC, that we will be able to get a good read out of the applicable data, and that will be yet another point of information that will really help us understand what happened,\u201d said Inman.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Inman added that video footage captured by witnesses has become a key part of the investigation. The recordings reportedly show the aircraft\u2019s left engine detaching from the wing during takeoff, providing crucial evidence for investigators.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed that the death toll has risen to nine, following overnight search and recovery efforts. Sixteen families had reported loved ones missing after the crash.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since lifted the temporary flight restriction over the area, and the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advisory around the airport has expired.<\/p>\n

\"a
UPS MD-11 Crash. Photo via Aviationbrk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Fire During Takeoff Roll<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to early witness accounts, the left wing and engine of the MD-11 appeared to be on fire during the takeoff roll. Moments later, the aircraft crashed near the airport perimeter around 5:15 p.m. local time, erupting into flames.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Footage shared on social media shows a large plume of smoke visible across much of the Louisville area.<\/p>\n

Louisville Metro Police spokesperson Matt Sanders stated that the incident generated more than 20 emergency calls for service shortly after the crash. Several nearby buildings were reportedly destroyed in the impact and ensuing fire.<\/p>\n

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UPS MD-11 Crash. Photo via FlightRadar24<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Images circulating show one of the engines separated from the UPS MD-11 on take-off from Louisville.<\/p>\n

The NTSB’s investigative team is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Louisville Metro Police Dept Chief Paul Humphrey said that the crash site will be “an ongoing\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Dj3C7bLrQe<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) November 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Emergency Response, Airport Closure<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A shelter-in-place order was issued around 5:30 p.m. for residents within a five-mile radius of the airport due to heavy smoke and potential hazards from burning jet fuel. Firefighters and airport emergency crews worked to contain the blaze and secure the area, as flights into and out of Muhammad Ali International Airport were temporarily suspended.<\/p>\n

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident in an official statement, noting that UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. after departing Louisville.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moreover, the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation, with the NTSB taking the lead in determining the cause of the accident.<\/p>\n

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BREAKING: Aerial footage shows the UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville, Kentucky airport. <\/p>\n

Police confirm there are victims and the blood is on Donald Trump\u2019s hands!!!<\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/4eVyffJLDK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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\u201cAt approximately 5:20 PM ET tonight, UPS Flight 2976 from Louisville, KY, to Honolulu, an MD-11 with three crewmembers onboard, was involved in an accident in Louisville. At this time, we have not confirmed any injuries\/casualties,\u201d stated the airline spokesperson.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

UPS added that it will release more details as they become available, emphasizing that the NTSB will serve as the primary source for official investigation updates.<\/p>\n

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\"an
Debris from UPS MD-11 Crash. Photo via Aviationbrk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Louisville\u2019s Role in UPS Operations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Louisville is home to UPS Worldport, the company\u2019s global air hub and largest package-handling facility. The 5.2 million-square-foot complex manages over 300 daily flights and sorts more than 400,000 packages per hour, enabling UPS to reach 95% of the U.S. population within four hours by air.<\/p>\n

UPS is also the largest employer in the Louisville metropolitan area, with more than 20,000 employees supporting its massive logistics network. The crash marks a serious incident for the carrier\u2019s Louisville operations, which serve as the core of its global express delivery system.<\/p>\n

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Reports of a massive explosion and resulting fire, possibly the result of a crash involving a cargo plane with UPS Airlines, near Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky. pic.twitter.com\/HtTQLVDH6D<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Investigation Underway<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While the exact cause of the crash remains unknown, preliminary information suggests the fire on the left engine may have been a contributing factor. Both the FAA and NTSB have dispatched investigators to the crash site, where wreckage recovery and black box retrieval efforts are underway.<\/p>\n

Authorities have yet to confirm the condition of the three crew members onboard, and no official casualty figures have been released as of now.<\/p>\n

Muhammad Ali International Airport remains closed to all arriving and departing flights as emergency and investigation efforts continue.<\/p>\n

This is a developing story.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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OH MY LORD ITS A BELT OF FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS<\/p>\n

INSANE FOOTAGE FROM THE UPS PLANE CRASH IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY<\/p>\n

\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f\u203c\ufe0f<\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/34XLwYRyqm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 WW3 Monitor (@WW3_Monitor) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Louisville, KY plane crash was an outbound UPS flight to Honolulu. Looks like the left wing\/engine was on fire during the takeoff roll. pic.twitter.com\/DimVcO0Qv5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anthony Cerullo (@anthonycerullo) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Related<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n