UPS plane crashes after takeoff from Louisville airport, igniting massive blaze
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(NEXSTAR) – A UPS plane with three crew members aboard crashed in Louisville, Kentucky shortly after takeoff Tuesday evening, causing an extensive fire, officials confirmed.
The crash happened around 5:15 p.m., shortly after UPS Flight 2976 took off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), an FAA spokesperson told Nexstar. Photos from the scene showed towering flames and a cloud of black smoke extending skyward.
A press conference will air at 7:30 p.m. ET in a player at the top of the story.
The aircraft was bound for Honolulu with three people on board, UPS confirmed.
Airport officials announced that all arriving and departing flights were temporarily suspended and the airfield was closed.
The Louisville Metro Police Dept. announced that a shelter-in-place was issued for “all locations within 5 miles of the airport” after reports of the plane crash.
Police added that there were “injuries reported,” however, as of 6:40 p.m. local time, authorities had not given any official confirmation.
A fireball erupts near airport property after reports of a plane crash at Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry) A plume of smoke wafts over airport property after reports of a plane crash at Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry) This photo provided by Brad Harvey shows thick, black smoke rising after reports of a plane crash near Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (Brad Harvey via AP)
“This is an active scene with fire and debris,” the department said on X. “Stay away.”
Aerial video shot by local news station WLKY showed a large swath of buildings ablaze, with lights from emergency vehicles stretching for blocks.
“The situation is serious. Please pray for the families affected,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. “I’m headed to Louisville now.”
It’s not yet clear what caused the cargo plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, to crash. The long-range aircraft model was first created in 1991, according to the Delta Flight Museum.
Officials urged passengers scheduled to fly into or out of SDF to monitor their flight status with the airline’s website or mobile app.
the FAA and NTSB will continue to investigate.
This is a developing story.
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