At least seven killed in fiery UPS plane crash near Louisville airport in Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky (Web Desk): At least seven people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries when a UPS cargo aircraft crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday evening, bursting into a massive fireball moments after takeoff, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed.

UPS reported that three crew members were on board, all of whom are presumed dead.

According to video footage aired by local television station WLKY, one of the plane’s wings caught fire shortly after takeoff before the aircraft plunged to the ground and exploded. The crash ignited multiple buildings in an industrial area beyond the runway, sending thick black smoke rising over the city.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said UPS Flight 2976 went down around 5:15 pm local time on November 4, shortly after leaving Louisville Muhammad Ali

International Airport for Honolulu. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for residents and businesses within five miles of the airport.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg posted on social media that there were multiple injuries and ongoing fires, urging people to stay away from the crash site due to road closures and emergency operations.

FAA records identified the plane as a 34-year-old MD-11 freighter. Boeing, which absorbed the MD-11 line after merging with McDonnell Douglas, expressed concern for the victims and said it would provide technical support to investigators.

Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft had earlier flown from Louisville to Baltimore and back before the ill-fated flight. The service noted the jet climbed to 175 feet and reached 184 knots before sharply descending. The route from Louisville to Honolulu typically takes eight and a half hours.

UPS said it was still working to confirm details regarding casualties or injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board announced it would lead the investigation and had dispatched a team to the crash site. The agency’s findings and recommendations typically take between 12 and 24 months to complete.

The Louisville airport, home to UPS Worldport — the company’s global air logistics hub and largest package handling center — was closed after the incident.

The crash is expected to disrupt UPS delivery operations and affect major partners including Amazon, Walmart, and the United States Postal Service. Both Amazon and Walmart have yet to issue statements on the matter.