Local News
Video shows moment UPS Cargo plane crashes in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jefferson County) — Dramatic video footage has surfaced showing the moment a UPS cargo aircraft, identified as Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, November 4, around 5:15 p.m. local time.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, operated by United Parcel Service (UPS), was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii, when it went down near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, less than two miles from the airport.
The footage shows the aircraft descending rapidly before erupting in a massive explosion upon impact, igniting multiple fires and causing significant damage to several nearby buildings.
Emergency radio communications confirm the plane struck a commercial structure, resulting in a partial building collapse and widespread fire conditions.
Within minutes, the Louisville Fire Department escalated the response to a third alarm, requesting additional firefighting units, hazardous materials teams, and foam suppression trucks to battle the intense flames fueled by aviation fuel.
Crews began search-and-rescue operations inside the damaged building while evacuating nearby structures and securing power lines in the area.
Louisville Metro Police have confirmed that there are victims, though the number and identities have not yet been disclosed.
Aerial footage from local news outlets shows firefighters working amid heavy smoke and debris as large sections of the impacted buildings remain engulfed in flames.
In light of potential hazards from debris and toxic fumes, Louisville authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for all locations within a five-mile radius of the airport.
Residents and businesses are urged to stay indoors and avoid the area to allow emergency crews to operate safely.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departure.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the crash. The NTSB will lead the investigation and release official updates as more information becomes available.
UPS released a brief statement confirming the incident, stating that the company is cooperating fully with authorities and that its “primary concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and the surrounding community.”
Emergency response teams remain on scene as investigators begin assessing the wreckage and gathering flight data to determine the cause of the crash.
LOUISVILLE, KY — Dramatic video has surfaced showing the moment UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, November 4.
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 aircraft, operated by UPS and carrying three crew members, went down at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time, shortly after departing for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
The plane crashed near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, causing a massive explosion that ignited multiple fires and led to the partial collapse of a commercial building.
First responders arrived to a scene of extensive devastation, with flames engulfing several structures and heavy black smoke visible from miles away.
Emergency crews issued a third-alarm response, calling for additional resources, including foam units to control aviation fuel fires.
Power to the area was cut off as a safety precaution, and search operations were launched to locate anyone trapped in surrounding buildings.
Police confirmed multiple victims at the scene, and unverified reports suggested as many as 25 people may have been trapped in a building near 4564 Knopp Avenue.
A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for all residents within a five-mile radius of the airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the downed aircraft as UPS Flight 2976, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken charge of the investigation.
Both agencies will coordinate to determine the cause of the crash, with the NTSB expected to provide official updates in the coming days.
In a statement, UPS confirmed that the flight had three crew members on board and said that efforts are underway to contact family members.
“At this time, we have not confirmed any injuries or fatalities among our employees,” the company said. “We are working closely with authorities and will release verified information as it becomes available.”
Adding to the growing concern, a woman identifying herself as the wife of a UPS pilot contacted a local news station, expressing fear that her husband was among those on board.
She stated that he was scheduled to depart Louisville around the same time as Flight 2976 and that she has been unable to reach him since the crash.
Aerial footage shows the wreckage of the MD-11 engulfed in flames, with large secondary explosions occurring moments after impact.
Emergency crews can be seen battling the fires and evacuating nearby facilities as heavy equipment works to clear debris.
The Louisville Metro Police Department, along with fire and hazmat units, remain on scene conducting search and rescue efforts. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area until further notice.
Louisville’s UPS Worldport facility, one of the largest air logistics hubs in the world, serves as the central hub for UPS’s global operations.
The 5.2 million-square-foot complex handles more than 300 daily flights and processes approximately 400,000 packages per hour, employing over 20,000 workers in the Louisville metropolitan area.
Governor Beshear issued a public statement following the crash:
“Kentucky, we are aware of the reported plane crash near Louisville International Airport. First responders are on site, and we will share more information as it becomes available. Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected.”
As the investigation unfolds, local, state, and federal agencies continue to coordinate emergency response operations, while families of UPS employees await official confirmation regarding the fate of those on board.