Local News
New Dashcam footage shows UPS Flight 2976 plane crash in Louisville
Newly released dashcam footage has captured the terrifying moment UPS Cargo Flight 2976 plummeted from the sky and exploded into a massive fireball near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening.
The footage shows the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet descending rapidly before erupting upon impact, sending flames and debris soaring into the air and igniting multiple buildings in a nearby industrial area.
The crash site, located near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, was immediately engulfed in thick black smoke as workers were seen running for their lives. Emergency sirens filled the area as firefighters and rescue crews rushed to the burning wreckage.
Authorities have confirmed that at least 12 people have been killed, including a young child, while 15 others were injured and 16 remain unaccounted for. Officials have cautioned that the death toll is expected to rise as recovery operations continue.
Governor Andy Beshear described the incident as “catastrophic,” urging the public to pray for the victims, their families, and the first responders. “That number is going to get larger,” the governor said during a press briefing, referencing the rising casualty count as crews search through the wreckage.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that UPS Flight 2976, operating a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, departed Louisville at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed control of the investigation and will lead all updates moving forward.
According to NTSB officials, preliminary video analysis appears to show the plane’s left engine detaching from the wing during takeoff, moments before the crash.
This visual evidence will play a critical role in determining the cause of the accident.
Authorities have also confirmed the following updates:
- Death Toll: 12 confirmed fatalities, with additional victims expected.
- Reunification Center: Established at 2911 Taylor Blvd for affected families.
- Search and Rescue: Ongoing in surrounding structures.
- Shelter-in-Place: Now reduced to a ¼-mile radius of the crash site.
- Airport Operations: One runway remains open; Runway 17R/35L is closed until November 15.
Meanwhile, Louisville Metro Police have issued a warning regarding scammers attempting to exploit grieving families by posing as investigators and demanding payment in exchange for information about missing loved ones.
Authorities urge anyone receiving such communications to report them immediately to LMPD at 502-574-LMPD (5673) and not to send money under any circumstances.
Dashcam recordings from a nearby truck driver also captured the explosion, showing a massive shockwave shaking nearby vehicles as fire engulfed the surrounding area.
The footage, now being reviewed by investigators, offers a chilling firsthand perspective of one of the most devastating aviation accidents in Louisville’s history.
UPS has confirmed that three crew members were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.
Their identities have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. The company stated it is “deeply saddened by this tragedy” and is fully cooperating with federal authorities as the investigation continues.
Louisville’s Worldport facility, UPS’s global air hub, remains operational with limited capacity.
The company, which employs over 20,000 people in the region, handles more than 300 flights daily and sorts over 400,000 packages an hour.
Governor Beshear expressed condolences on social media, saying, “Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected. First responders are onsite, and we will share more information as available.”
Authorities have begun identifying the victims of the devastating tornado that struck Union City, Michigan, on Friday afternoon, leaving multiple people dead and causing widespread destruction across several communities in southern Michigan.
A Branch County funeral home confirmed that 65-year-old Penni Jo Guthrie was among the victims killed when the powerful storm swept through Union City.
According to the funeral home, Guthrie died from injuries sustained when the tornado destroyed her home during the storm.
An official obituary has not yet been released, and funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Officials say two other people also died in Union City when the suspected EF-3 tornado touched down in the small community.
The National Weather Service reported that the storm produced winds of at least 150 miles per hour, strong enough to level homes and cause catastrophic damage throughout the affected neighborhoods.
Search and recovery crews spent Saturday combing through debris fields, assisting residents in locating belongings, and beginning the long cleanup process.
Union City emergency management officials said operations have now shifted from active rescue efforts to recovery, as authorities continue to assess the full scope of the destruction.
Among those affected by the storm was Scott Johnson, a former Bellevue resident. According to reports from friends and community members, Johnson lost his wife, Keri Johnson, along with their home and nearly all of their personal belongings when the tornado tore through the Union Lake area outside Union City.
The severe weather outbreak also caused tragedy in Cass County, where a tornado resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy from the Edwardsburg area.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Department identified the victim as Silas Anderson.
Sheriff Clint Roach said the Cass County Central Dispatch received a 911 call around 3:12 p.m. on March 6 reporting that a possible tornado had touched down in the 68000 block of Conrad Road, north of U.S. 12 in Edwardsburg, within Milton Township. The caller reported that their son was missing following the storm.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they located Silas Anderson, and his parents were already attempting to provide first aid.
The boy was transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Officials said Silas was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.
“It is with a heavy heart that we report that a young man from the Edwardsburg area has lost his life in a weather-related incident,” Sheriff Roach said in a statement, asking the public to respect the family’s privacy as they cope with the tragedy.
Severe weather also impacted St. Joseph County, where another tornado was reported in the Three Rivers area.
The storm caused significant structural damage, including ripping the roof off a Menards store. Video captured by residents shows the tornado scattering debris into the air and tearing apart nearby storage facilities.
In response to the widespread damage and loss of life, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, announced Saturday morning that she intends to declare a state of emergency for Branch County, Cass County, and St. Joseph County.
State and local officials continue to evaluate the damage while emergency crews work to assist residents, clear debris, and restore essential services in the communities affected by the powerful storm system.