Local News
Wife of UPS Pilot Fears the Worst Following Plane Crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
Louisville, KY — A woman has come forward expressing deep concern for her husband, a UPS pilot, who was scheduled to depart Louisville around the same time as the fatal crash of UPS Flight 2976 on Tuesday evening.
According to a message shared with a local news anchor, the woman said she has not heard from her husband since the incident and fears the worst.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the three crew members aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo aircraft, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time.
The aircraft, operating as UPS Flight 2976, was en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when it went down near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, igniting multiple fires and causing a partial collapse of a nearby building.
Emergency crews responded to the scene as flames engulfed several structures. Louisville Metro Police confirmed there are victims, though the number of casualties has not yet been specified.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for all locations within a five-mile radius of the airport as first responders worked to control the fires and conduct searches of affected buildings.
UPS confirmed that Flight 2976 was carrying three crew members at the time of the crash.
The company stated it is cooperating fully with federal investigators and is focused on contacting the families of those involved.
“We are working closely with authorities and will provide updates as more information becomes available,” a UPS spokesperson said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a joint investigation into the crash, with the NTSB taking the lead and expected to release further details as the inquiry progresses.
Louisville’s UPS Worldport facility — the company’s largest air hub — is a critical component of global logistics operations, handling more than 300 flights daily and employing over 20,000 people in the region.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addressed 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 it becomes available. Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected.”
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash as the community awaits confirmation of the identities of those on board.
Volusia County, Fla. — A 16-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in the Indian River during a weekend camping and fishing trip, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities identified the teen as Hunter McKelvin of Paisley. Deputies said he was discovered face-down in the water Saturday morning near a small island east of Maynard May Park in Edgewater.
Members of the group located the teen and immediately began CPR before transporting him by boat to Maynard May Park.
Upon arrival, officers with the Edgewater Police Department and other emergency responders took over life-saving efforts.
McKelvin was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased later that morning.
Investigators reported that no visible injuries were observed, and there were no immediate signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances during the initial investigation.
An autopsy has been scheduled as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.