A UPS MD-11 crashed after takeoff in Louisville, prompting a shelter-in-place and an airport shutdown as crews fought a large fire. Details are still developing.
Background
A UPS cargo jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport this afternoon. According to reports, towering plume of smoke was visible for miles, and local officials moved quickly to secure the area. Early reports point to a UPS MD-11 departing on a regularly scheduled flight when the accident occurred around 5:15 p.m. local time.
NEW: Large explosions after UPS Flight 2976 crashes near Louisville International Airport in Kentucky pic.twitter.com/qQ2bSug3tz
— BNO News (@BNONews) November 4, 2025
Reports placed the crash near Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road, not far from the UPS Worldport complex. Photos and live feeds from local outlets showed heavy smoke and a large emergency presence as crews established perimeters and directed traffic away from the area. Airline accidents are rare and this UPS crash (Louisville, Kentucky) is the largest aircraft incident in the US this year, though a cargo aircraft in Hong Kong veered off the runway a few weeks ago killing airport workers on the ground.
What We Know So Far
The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11. It went down just after liftoff, igniting a significant ground fire near airport property. Officials have reported injuries, though the number and severity have not been confirmed. Crews from multiple agencies responded immediately as firefighters worked to contain flames and debris. The flight was reportedly headed to Honolulu and may have had as much as 260,000 lbs of Jet A fuel at take-off.
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place advisory for the area near the airport while they assessed hazards from smoke and debris. Local police urged the public to avoid the scene entirely to keep access open for emergency vehicles.
New video shows a substantial fire on the left (port) wing near the fuselage. This seems like a substantial engine fire. For those unfamiliar, the MD-11 (revised version of a DC-10) is a rare tri-engine jet with one power plant under each wing and another that bisects the vertical stabilizer. While I’m not a pilot, my assumption based on this new video is that an uncontrolled engine fire occurred after V1 (the decision point of the take-off or point of no return where the aircraft can no longer safely abort the take-off.)
WARNING: Language is inappropriate for some audiences in this video.
🚨#BREAKING: A major emergency response is currently underway after a UPS cargo plane crashed, leaving multiple people injured a shelter-in-place order within a five-mile radius of the airport.
A significant emergency response is currently underway in… pic.twitter.com/hxw8yQdNBa
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 4, 2025
The aircraft appears to list to the left (affected engine) and struggle to lift off the ground. It’s possible the pilots didn’t understand the serious nature of the fire. It appears that thrust from the left side is impaired so as the pilots struggle to take-off, the aircraft dips to the left with an imbalance of power.
Compressor failures happen from time-to-time which can appear to “shoot flames” from an engine but does not align with the video above. Compressor stalls are often overcome.
Impact On Airport Operations
Runway operations were halted while first responders worked the scene and investigators began their initial survey. Travelers headed to or from Louisville should expect delays and potential cancellations while the airport and airlines reset their operations.
The Response And What Comes Next
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed key details and noted that the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation. McDonnell-Douglas, the aircraft manufacturer merged with Boeing more than a decade ago, and it may be involved in the investigation as well. The process will begin with documenting the site, collecting flight and maintenance records, and interviewing involved personnel. UPS said it is aware of the incident and is coordinating with authorities as information is verified.
Conclusion
Louisville is the heart of the UPS air network, so any serious incident there sends ripples through cargo operations and local travel. Today’s priority is life and safety, followed by a careful, methodical investigation. We will learn more as the NTSB works through the facts, and as airport operations resume. For now, if you have travel plans through Louisville, keep an eye on airline messages and airport alerts, and give responders the space they need to do their jobs.
Note: This is a developing story. Details may change as officials release confirmed information.
