Tragic UPS Plane Crash in Louisville Claims 14 Lives

Mon Nov 10 2025 23:43:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville's Worldport, resulting in 14 fatalities, including three pilots. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the incident.

A tragic incident occurred when a UPS cargo plane crashed moments after takeoff from the company's Worldport hub in Louisville, Kentucky, killing all 14 people on board, including three pilots. Eyewitness accounts describe the aircraft as lifting off with a burning wing before plunging back to the ground. Investigations are ongoing, with preliminary data indicating the aircraft reached only 100 feet of altitude. A federal lawsuit has already been filed against UPS and others involved, citing negligence.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (RTW News) — A UPS cargo plane was nearly airborne when a bell sounded in the cockpit just seconds after takeoff. For 25 harrowing seconds, the pilots attempted to control the aircraft, which had one wing engulfed in flames and was missing an engine, before it crashed spectacularly, according to investigators. The crash happened at UPS Worldport, the company's critical aviation hub in Louisville, resulting in the loss of 14 lives, including the three pilots on board the MD-11 destined for Honolulu.

National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman revealed that the cockpit voice recorder captured the alarming bell sound approximately 37 seconds into the takeoff process. While investigators have yet to ascertain the cause of the alarm, the burning left wing and detached engine are significant indicators. It could take months for the public to access the cockpit recording transcript, as investigations continue.

Former crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti noted that the bell likely indicated an engine fire, suggesting the crew was beyond the critical decision point for a safe aborted takeoff. Inman pointed out that preliminary data indicates the plane only ascended to about 100 feet above ground, far less than originally estimated.

Investigation Updates and Community Response

Dramatic video footage capturing the crash from several angles has proven crucial for the investigation. Initial findings show the aircraft reaching a speed of 210 mph before crashing outside the airport. The left engine's components have been recovered, while maintenance records indicate no recent work had been performed prior to the flight.

As UPS Worldport handles over 400,000 packages an hour with approximately 20,000 employees, operations resumed the night following the incident. Legal actions have already begun with a federal lawsuit filed against UPS by an affected automotive shop and a resident who required hospitalization after exposure to smoke from the crash. The lawsuit claims negligence from UPS and other involved parties while seeking unspecified damages.