UPS MD-11 Crashes Shortly After Takeoff in Louisville, Death Toll Rises to 7

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:

• Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, registration N259UP, operated by UPS Airlines
• Flight: UPS Flight 2976 from Louisville (SDF) to Honolulu (HNL)
• Crash time: Approximately 1715 local time (22:15 UTC) on 4 November 2025
• Fatalities: Seven confirmed deaths, 11 injuries — at least two in critical condition
• Crash site: Near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, just south of UPS Worldport
• Agencies: NTSB leading investigation; FAA and local officials assisting
• Operations: All flights at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport remain suspended

The Crash

A UPS cargo jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) on Tuesday afternoon, 4 November 2025, triggering a massive explosion and fire near the company’s Worldport air hub.

The flight, operating as UPS Airlines Flight 2976, departed for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. FlightAware data shows gate departure at 1702 local time, about two hours late, and takeoff from Runway 17R shortly thereafter.

Moments later, the widebody MD-11F went down near the intersection of Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, roughly a mile south of the runway. The aircraft struck the Kentucky Petroleum Recycling facility, sparking a fire that engulfed multiple structures.

Governor Andy Beshear described the scene as “catastrophic,” confirming that nearby buildings sustained heavy damage. The adjacent Ford Louisville Assembly Plant briefly lost power but was not directly impacted.

Fatalities and Injuries

Governor Beshear has confirmed seven deaths and 11 injuries, warning that numbers could rise.

At least two workers from Grade A Auto Parts, located near the impact site, remain unaccounted for. Louisville CBS affiliate WLKY reported that two victims are in critical condition, while eight others sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

No passengers were aboard the aircraft, which was operating as a cargo-only flight. The status of the three-person UPS flight crew remains unconfirmed as of this writing.

Emergency Response

More than a dozen fire and police units arrived within minutes of impact. Louisville Metro Police closed off the area near the crash site and issued a five-mile shelter-in-place order due to thick smoke and potential chemical hazards from the burning structures. The shelter-in-place order was later reduced to a one-mile radius.

Governor Beshear says the aircraft was not carrying any hazardous materials.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud boom followed by a large fireball and debris raining across the area. Several nearby buildings caught fire as crews fought to contain the blaze and faced a tremendously difficult battle against a huge amount of burning jet fuel.

Flight Data and Observations

Flightradar24 shows that the aircraft lost signal seconds after departure, with its last recorded data point at 22:13 UTC (1713 local) indicating a speed of 184 knots at ground altitude.

Video circulating online shows the MD-11 rolling down the runway with what appears to be flames coming from the left-hand engine during the takeoff roll. (CAUTION: Viewer discretion advised due to graphic language.)

Aerial footage from local news choppers shows debris scattered along the runway, including what appears to be an engine cowling and possibly a separated engine lying beside the runway — pieces that will likely be crucial to investigators.

Investigation Underway

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken the lead on the investigation, supported by the Federal Aviation Administration and local emergency agencies.

In a statement, the FAA said:

As of now, officials have not released any information on potential causes. No weather issues were reported at the time of departure, and there are no confirmed indications of a mechanical failure beyond what’s visible in video footage.

UPS Statement

UPS Airlines issued the following statement on its website:

Operational Impact at SDF

All flight operations at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport were suspended for the remainder of the day. Officials are urging travelers to contact their airlines directly for rebooking information and to follow updates via FlyLouisville.com or @FlyLouisville on X.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said late Tuesday evening that SDF would reopen Wednesday morning.

UPS has also halted sorting operations at Worldport, which typically processes over two million packages daily.

What We Know About This UPS MD-11, N259UP

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (MSN 48417) involved in the crash of Flight 2976 was 34.4 years old, and was delivered new to Thai Airways in July 1991. The MD-11, registered as HS-TME, flew for Thai Airways until February 2006.

Four months later, on 29 June 2006, the aircraft was delivered to UPS. In 2007, it was converted to an MD-11F.

FlightRadar24 is reporting that N259UP underwent maintenance in San Antonio from 3 September to 18 October of this year.

What’s Next

Investigators from the NTSB’s Go Team are expected to arrive in Louisville early Wednesday morning to begin on-site analysis. Officials will likely examine flight data recorders, maintenance logs, and the condition of recovered components.

This remains a developing story: AvGeekery will continue to provide verified updates as new information becomes available.

We at AvGeekery and the entire aviation community mourn the crew of UPS Flight 2976, professionals who took to the skies in service, and whose final flight will never be forgotten. Blue skies and tailwinds, always.