A UPS cargo plane bound for Hawaii crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, killing seven people.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the death toll, saying the number is expected to rise as recovery efforts continue.
Emergency crews responded to a massive fire near Fern Valley and Grade Lane around 5:14 p.m. local time.
The blaze, fueled by the aircraft’s 280,000 gallons of jet fuel, drew hundreds of firefighters from across the state as authorities worked to contain the flames and begin grid searches of the debris field.
UPS Flight 2976 Was Headed to Honolulu
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo plane, UPS Flight 2976, departed from Louisville at about 5:15 p.m. en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
The FAA confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash, which remains unknown.
The NTSB said investigators are en route to Kentucky and will release updates as the probe unfolds. Officials have urged residents to report any debris found near their homes through the Louisville Metro Government website.
UPS Halts Operations After Fatal Crash
In a statement, UPS said it is “terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers, and the communities we serve.”
The company confirmed it has suspended operations at its Worldport facility, the world’s largest automated package-handling hub, and canceled its Next Day Air sort.
UPS also said family members of employees seeking information should call its family assistance line at (800) 631-0604.
The company pledged full cooperation with the NTSB and FAA, saying it would “work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts.”
Shelter-in-Place and Flight Suspensions
Louisville Metro Police issued a shelter-in-place order for all locations within a one-mile radius of the airport due to smoke and debris.
Residents were advised to stay indoors and turn off air intake systems.
Jeffersonville Police issued a similar order across the Ohio River up to the Port of Indiana.
The city’s airport authority confirmed all arriving and departing flights at Muhammad Ali International Airport are suspended.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said, “Rachel and I are praying for victims of the UPS plane that crashed during takeoff at 5:15 p.m. We have every emergency agency responding to the scene.”
Schools Closed, Health Tests Planned
All Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and related buildings will remain closed on Wednesday, November 5. The district described the day as a “snow day,” with no online classes or extracurricular activities.
Health officials said air and water quality testing will be carried out at schools near the crash site.
Residents near the scene reported finding Hawaiian-style dresses scattered in the debris, believed to have come from the plane’s cargo. Law enforcement has warned the public not to touch any wreckage.
