A United Parcel Service (UPS) cargo aircraft crashed shortly after take‑off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening, erupting into a massive fireball and igniting several buildings in a nearby industrial corridor. At least seven people have been confirmed dead and 11 others injured, though officials warned that the toll is expected to rise as emergency crews continue to search the wreckage.
The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD‑11 freighter, came down at approximately 5.15pm local time. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane had three crew members on board and was bound for Honolulu. Governor Andy Beshear described the situation as “serious” and said he anticipated further casualties as investigators worked through the debris.
Beshear confirmed that the crash occurred close to two businesses: a recycling centre, which sustained a direct hit, and an auto parts shop where two employees remain unaccounted for. “We believe there were at least three fatalities early on, but that number will increase,” he told reporters. The governor added that no hazardous cargo was on board the aircraft.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg later confirmed that four of the fatalities were not on the aircraft but were on the ground in the affected industrial area. “Watching the video of the crash, I think we are all very, very worried about the crew members and the missing employees,” he said.
Television footage broadcast by local station WLKY showed the plane taking off with flames visible on one wing before it plunged to the ground, exploding into a fireball. Several buildings beyond the runway were engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke rising into the evening sky.
The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) said multiple agencies were responding to the crash. “This is an active scene with fire and debris. Stay away,” the department said in a statement. A shelter‑in‑place order was issued for all locations within five miles of the airport and later extended to cover all areas north of the airport to the Ohio River, encompassing much of the city.
Airport officials confirmed that all departing flights on Tuesday night were cancelled. Residents were urged to report any debris that may have landed in their neighbourhoods via an online form, with warnings not to touch or move wreckage themselves.
FAA records show that the aircraft involved was 34 years old. The MD‑11 programme was discontinued after Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas, but the manufacturer said it would provide technical support to investigators. “We are concerned for the safety and well‑being of all those affected,” Boeing said in a statement.
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft had earlier flown from Louisville to Baltimore before returning to Kentucky. The flight to Honolulu, which typically takes eight and a half hours, was scheduled to depart shortly afterwards. Data indicated that the plane climbed to an altitude of 175 feet and reached a speed of 184 knots before making a sharp descent.
UPS confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would lead the investigation. “Our thoughts are with the families of those affected by this tragic incident,” a company spokesperson said.
Governor Beshear travelled to Louisville to oversee the response. “We have virtually every fire, police, and emergency response group working right now,” he said. Mayor Greenberg also expressed condolences, adding: “I’d like to send my prayers to the families of the victims in this tragic crash.”
As night fell, large plumes of smoke remained visible south of the airport, while firefighters battled blazes in multiple industrial buildings. Roads in the vicinity were closed, and residents were urged to avoid the area until further notice.
The NTSB is expected to release preliminary findings in the coming days, though a full investigation into the cause of the crash may take months.
