Tragic UPS Plane Crash Claims Seven Lives in Louisville

Wed Nov 05 2025 10:37:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A UPS cargo plane exploded during takeoff from Louisville's airport, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries as investigations continue into the incident.

A UPS cargo plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport left at least seven dead and eleven injured. The incident, which occurred while the aircraft was taking off for Honolulu, resulted in a massive explosion and fireball. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, and local officials express concerns that the death toll may rise. Residents nearby reported widespread chaos and concern as they sought information about loved ones.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (RTWNews) — A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, as the plane was departing for Honolulu from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Footage captured the left wing of the aircraft engulfed in flames before the plane lifted slightly and then crashed, resulting in a devastating explosion. Nearby, witnesses noticed parts of a building’s roof damaged by the crash.

The death toll rose to seven on Tuesday night, with officials confirming that four victims were not on the plane. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear indicated that the number could increase, as some of the injured sustained “very significant” injuries.

“Anyone who has seen the images knows how violent this crash is,” Governor Beshear remarked. As of now, the status of the three crew members aboard the plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 built in 1991, remains unclear.

UPS’s Louisville hub is the largest in the world, processing over 400,000 packages every hour. It employs thousands and has about 300 flights daily. Following the crash, UPS announced the suspension of package sorting operations at the facility, with no indication of when they might resume.

Local officials, including Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe, voiced concern for the families of those affected, noting the widespread impact on the community as workers reached out to ensure their friends and relatives were safe. However, some texts went unanswered.

An investigation has been initiated by the National Transportation Safety Board, which deployed 28 personnel to the crash site. The airport itself experienced a shutdown, with a tentative timeline for reopening projected for the following morning.

Pablo Rojas, an aviation attorney, noted that based on video observations, it appeared the aircraft faced significant struggles in gaining altitude amidst the fire, hinting that the large quantity of fuel on board could lead to catastrophic results.

Reports indicated that damage was felt by local businesses, particularly Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and an auto parts operation situated nearby. The community gathered at a local police training facility seeking information about their loved ones, adding to the overall anxiety and confusion following the tragedy.

Witness accounts described a horrific scene characterized by massive flames and billowing smoke. One witness likened the magnitude of the crash to a war zone, highlighting the widespread sense of panic and loss felt across the area. Residents were left shaken as they described hearing what resembled an explosion echoing nearby.

The airport, conveniently located close to downtown Louisville, serves a mix of residential areas, attractions, and commercial facilities, amplifying the tragedy's impact on the local populace.