Everything we know about the UPS cargo plane that crashed near Louisville airport
A UPS cargo plane crashed leaving Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville Tuesday evening, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department.
The crash happened around 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, UPS said in a statement confirming their plane had been involved. Three crew members were onboard at the time of the crash.
At least nine people were confirmed dead and multiple people injured.
Here’s what we know about UPS Flight 2976.
Plane was headed to Hawaii with three crew members
The plane was leaving the Louisville airport and headed for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, UPS said in a statement.
The crash occurred at about 5:20 p.m., LMPD said. As of 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, UPS had not confirmed injuries or casualties from crew members.
The plane reached an altitude of 175 feet and then rapidly descended, the New York Times reported, citing data from Flightradar 24.
The Louisville Metro Police Department said the plane had crashed near Fern Valley and Grade Lane. Grade Lane was closed between Stooges Bar and Grille and Crittenden Drive, LMPD said.
The crash impacted two businesses in the area: Kentucky Petroleum Recycling Plant and Grade A Auto Parts, Gov. Andy Beshear said at a press conference on Tuesday night.
“We are seeking more information, but it looks like they were hit pretty directly,” Beshear said of the recycling plant.
Grade A Auto Parts said all but two employees were accounted for.
Plane was a MD-11
UPS said the plane was a MD-11, a McDonnell Douglas aircraft. That model is the largest trijet wide-body airliner in the world.
The model was first used as a passenger plane, though was later converted into use as a cargo plane, according to Boeing.
According to Flightradar 24, which tracks flight data, the plane regularly makes cargo trips from Louisville to Honolulu, with the most recent trip listed on Oct. 30.
It was carrying over 220,000 pounds of jet fuel, or 38,000 gallons, for its flight, Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neill said.
Beshear said Tuesday night he would not speculate about the cause of the crash.
FAA and NTSB investigating
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, the FAA said in a statement.
“The FAA and NTSB will investigate,” the FAA said. “The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates. This information is preliminary and subject to change.”
“UPS will release more facts as they become available, but the National Transportation Safety Board is in charge of the investigation and will be the primary source of information about the official investigation,” UPS said in its statement.
UPS halts Louisville operations
Around 9:30 p.m. UPS said they were halting package sorting operations at UPS Worldport, the main logistics center in Louisville.
“We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville,” UPS said. “Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.”
The company is working with the FAA and NTSB in their investigations.
“We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts,” UPS said.
Shelter in place issued
A shelter in place was issued for a 5-mile radius around the airport. That was later expanded to all areas north of the airport to the Ohio River, according to LMPD.
That was later reduced to a 1-mile radius around the airport.
“Please remain away from the area,” police said on social media.
As a result, Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes on Wednesday.
All departing flights on Tuesday night from the Muhammad Ali International Airport were canceled, according to a statement from the airport.
“Please check directly with your airline for the latest updates, rebooking options, and flight status information,” the airport said in a statement.
In a post on the social media platform X, Beshear said he was on his way to Louisville and asked people to “please pray for the pilots, crew and everyone affected. We will share more soon.”
“The situation is serious,” he said.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 8:42 PM.
