Local News
Victims reported after UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jefferson County) — A tragic aviation accident occurred Tuesday evening, November 4, when a UPS cargo plane, identified as Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, went down around 5:15 p.m. local time, sparking massive fires and explosions near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, just southeast of the airport.
Dramatic video footage captured the moment the plane descended rapidly and struck several buildings, erupting into a fireball that sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
Multiple structures were set ablaze, and first responders confirmed partial building collapses in the immediate area of impact.
Emergency radio traffic indicated that third-alarm units were dispatched to the scene as firefighters battled intense flames and began search-and-rescue operations within the damaged buildings.
Authorities confirmed reports of people trapped at an undisclosed location, with preliminary accounts suggesting up to 25 individuals may be trapped at or near 4564 Knopp Avenue.
UPS confirmed that three crew members were on board Flight 2976 at the time of the crash.
The crash resulted in at least three fatalities and eleven injuries, according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who warned that “the number is going to get larger” as rescue and recovery operations continue.
The company issued a statement expressing deep concern and emphasizing that its “primary focus is the safety and well-being of our employees and the surrounding community.”
The Louisville Metro Police Department and Louisville Fire Department established a large emergency perimeter and issued a shelter-in-place order for all locations within a five-mile radius of the airport, urging residents and businesses to remain indoors and avoid the affected area due to hazardous smoke and debris.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Flight 2976 lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departure.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the cause of the crash.
The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide regular updates as information becomes available.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear acknowledged the tragedy on social media, stating:
“We are aware of a reported plane crash near Louisville International Airport. First responders are on site, and we will share more information as available. Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected.”
The crash occurred near UPS’s Worldport, the company’s largest air freight hub and global sorting facility, located adjacent to the airport.
The 5.2 million-square-foot facility handles more than 300 daily flights, processes over 400,000 packages per hour, and employs approximately 20,000 workers across the greater Louisville metropolitan area.
As of late Tuesday night, multiple fires remain active, and emergency teams continue to search the wreckage while working to stabilize affected buildings.
The NTSB is expected to arrive on scene early Wednesday to begin a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash.
Local News
Major Emergency Declared as Massive Structure Fire Engulfs Multiple Buildings in Hyde Park
LOS ANGELES, CA (Hyde Park) — The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) declared a Major Emergency following a large-scale structure fire that broke out in the 2300 block of Southwest Drive in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
According to initial reports, firefighters arrived on scene to find a commercial structure fully engulfed in flames, with heavy fire conditions rapidly spreading to multiple adjacent buildings.
Due to the intensity and volume of fire, incident commanders transitioned operations into a defensive strategy, prioritizing the protection of nearby exposures and preventing further structural collapse.
More than 120 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, supported by multiple engines, ladder trucks, and specialized units.
Crews established large-diameter hose lines and aerial master streams to combat the blaze from a safe perimeter, as interior conditions became untenable.
At the height of the incident, flames were visible from several blocks away, and thick plumes of black smoke prompted air quality advisories for the surrounding area.
Nearby residents were urged to remain indoors and keep windows closed as a precaution.
LAFD officials confirmed that no civilian injuries have been reported at this time; however, one firefighter was being evaluated for potential heat exhaustion.
Utility crews were also called to the scene to secure power and gas lines impacted by the fire.
The cause of the blaze remains under active investigation by LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section investigators.
Damage assessments are ongoing, but officials anticipate significant structural loss.
Firefighters are expected to remain on scene through the night conducting overhaul operations and monitoring for potential flare-ups.
Residents are advised to avoid the area of Southwest Drive between West 23rd Street and Hyde Park Boulevard while emergency operations continue.