By Suzanne Downing 
A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, igniting a massive fire that stretched for nearly a mile and prompting an emergency response across the city’s south side.
It’s an airport visited by many Alaska-based UPS pilots, as it is a major hub for UPS.
Louisville Metro Police confirmed that the crash site, near Fern Valley and Grade Lane just south of the airport, remains an active scene with “fire and debris.” Residents were urged to stay clear of the area as firefighters and emergency crews battled flames and searched for survivors.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for all areas north of the airport to the Ohio River due to heavy smoke and possible hazardous materials from the burning aircraft.
Louisville, KY plane crash was an outbound UPS flight to Honolulu. Looks like the left wing/engine was on fire during the takeoff roll. pic.twitter.com/DimVcO0Qv5
— Anthony Cerullo (@anthonycerullo) November 4, 2025
UPS said in a statement that it was notified of an incident involving one of its aircraft. “Three UPS crewmembers were on board,” the company said, without immediately providing details on their conditions. The plane, identified as UPS Flight 2976, was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet bound for Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. It was not scheduled to stop for refueling in Anchorage.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the crash occurred around 5:15 pm local time, just after takeoff. “The FAA and NTSB will investigate,” the agency said. “The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates.”
Louisville serves as the global air hub for UPS, handling hundreds of flights each day at its massive Worldport facility. The company has not yet released information about potential impacts to operations.
Emergency crews remained on scene late Tuesday evening as thick smoke continued to billow from the crash site. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the crash or the extent of injuries among those on board or on the ground.
The FAA said in a statement:
“UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Nov. 4, after departing from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates.”
Eternal Father, strong and fair,
Whose arm can quell the stormy air,
Who bids the mighty clouds on high,
And whom we trust is ever nigh.
O hear us as we send our prayer,
For those in peril in the air.