A UPS cargo jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) this afternoon (4 November 2025), sparking a massive fire and emergency response near the company’s Worldport hub.
According to initial reports, the aircraft was UPS Airlines Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. FlightAware shows gate departure occurred at 1702 local time, which was two hours and two minutes late, with takeoff at 1722 local time.
UPS has confirmed three crew members were on board the aircraft.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says at least three fatalities have been confirmed, with 11 injuries, some “very significant.” Beshear also stated that the status of the flight crew is currently unknown. He cautioned that the numbers were preliminary and “may increase.”
The impact occurred shortly after, near the intersection of Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, close to the Ford Louisville Assembly Plant. The Ford plant lost power for a time after the crash, but was not directly impacted, according to Governor Beshear.
Video footage from the incident shows the moment of impact, including what appears to be a fire during the takeoff roll. CAUTION: LANGUAGE.
Flight Details and Location
Flightradar24 data shows the wide-body trijet lost signal shortly after departure from Runway 17R. The crash site is just south of the airport perimeter, near UPS’s sprawling Worldport facility, where smoke and flames were visible for miles.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says two businesses were impacted by the crash, but did not say what they were. A nearby Ford plant lost power for a time following the accident, but was not directly impacted, according to Beshear.
Emergency Response
More than a dozen fire and police units responded within minutes. Louisville Metro Police and the Louisville Fire Department reported multiple calls about the explosion. Authorities have closed Grade Lane between Stooge Avenue and Crittenden Drive and issued a shelter-in-place order within a five-mile radius due to thick smoke and potential hazards.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud boom followed by a fireball and debris scattering across the area. Several nearby structures sustained damage from the blast and resulting fire
Fatalities and Injuries Reported
Three deaths and 11 injuries have been reported as of 8 PM, according to Governor Beshear. As a cargo-only flight, no passengers were aboard. The status of the three flight crew is not yet known.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and local officials have launched an investigation. No information about possible causes has been released, and officials have not identified any mechanical or weather-related factors at this stage.
Operational Impact at SDF
All flight operations at SDF have been temporarily suspended.
Official Statements
- LMPD Spokesperson Matt Sanders confirmed that emergency crews are on the scene and urged the public to avoid the area.
- Flightradar24 stated: “We are following reports of a crash in Louisville possibly involving a UPS MD-11. Based on timing and loss of data from the flight, we are working to confirm if the flight involved is #5X2976 operated by N259UP. Details are currently unconfirmed.”
- UPS Airlines posted on X, saying, “UPS has been notified of an incident/accident involving one of our aircraft in Louisville, KY. Updates will be posted on https://about.ups.com/us/en/newsroom/statements.html as they become available.”
- Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed the flight details, saying, “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. There are multiple injuries and the fire is still burning. There are many road closures in the area – please avoid the scene. The plane was carrying 280,000 [pounds] of fuel. We’ll have a briefing soon with Governor Beshear. We’ll provide more details as they are available.”
- Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear posted on X, “The situation is serious. Please pray for the families affected. I’m headed to Louisville now.” He confirmed in an early evening press conference that three deaths and 11 injuries, some “very significant,” are being reported.
This is a developing story. Louisville’s Worldport serves as the central hub for UPS Airlines, processing more than two million packages daily.
AvGeekery will continue to follow this story and provide updates as verified information becomes available.
