A UPS cargo plane crashed moments after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, killing at least nine people and injuring more than a dozen others. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, was carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel and bound for Honolulu when it erupted into flames shortly after leaving the runway at around 5:15 p.m. local time.
The plane exploded on impact after striking several nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling facility and an auto service shop, sending a massive plume of black smoke over the city. Authorities confirmed that all three crew members on board were among the dead. At least 11 people suffered severe injuries, and officials warned that some victims were still unaccounted for late Tuesday night.
Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, saying the measure would allow emergency teams and the Kentucky National Guard to move resources faster. He described the crash as “one of the most devastating aviation incidents in our state’s history.” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said the airport had since reopened one runway, but the crash area remained closed as investigators worked to secure the site.
Investigation and cause under review
A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began early Wednesday, with a 28-member team examining debris scattered across a wide area. Initial reports suggest that the left engine may have detached or caught fire during takeoff, though officials stressed it was too early to confirm the cause. The intense blaze was fueled by the large quantity of jet fuel, which created explosions and heavy smoke that hampered rescue efforts for hours.
Fire officials described the site as extremely hazardous due to residual fuel and unstable wreckage. “It’s still an active and dangerous scene,” said Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neal, adding that firefighters had to rotate crews to prevent heat exhaustion and chemical exposure. A shelter-in-place order for nearby residents was first issued within a five-mile radius, later reduced to one mile once the fire was contained.
UPS confirmed that the aircraft was operated by its in-house airline and that all employees involved were based in Louisville, home to the company’s Worldport global air hub. The company said it was “deeply saddened” by the loss and pledged full cooperation with federal investigators. Boeing, which now owns McDonnell Douglas, stated that it was providing technical assistance to the NTSB and expressed concern for all affected families.
Broader effects and next steps
The crash temporarily halted operations at Worldport, UPS’s largest sorting facility, which processes more than two million packages per day. Analysts warned that even a short disruption could have ripple effects across the global shipping network, particularly ahead of the holiday season.
READ ALSO: Fei-Fei Li Honoured With 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering
Officials have not confirmed how many people were inside the businesses struck by the plane at the time of impact. As of Wednesday evening, at least 16 families had reported missing loved ones. Rescue crews continued to search through the debris with specialized equipment, but authorities cautioned that the process could take several days.
The MD-11F model involved first entered service in 1991 and was converted from a passenger aircraft to a freighter in 2006. Both UPS and FedEx have announced plans to gradually retire their MD-11 fleets in favor of more modern aircraft, citing maintenance costs and safety updates.
Governor Beshear urged the public to stay away from the crash area, emphasizing ongoing safety concerns from lingering fires and unstable wreckage. “Anyone who has seen the images knows how violent this was,” he said. “Our priority right now is recovery, support for the families, and finding out exactly what went wrong.”
