At least nine people were killed when a UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed. The fiery crash occurred just after 5:15 p.m. local time. It left behind a scene of devastation, with officials warning that more victims may still be found.
The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F triple-engine freighter bound for Honolulu. It erupted into flames seconds after leaving the runway. Thick columns of black smoke blanketed parts of Louisville’s industrial corridor. Emergency crews rushed to contain the blaze and search for survivors.
Beshear said the plane’s three crew members were “likely among the dead.” At least 11 other people sustained serious injuries. “Anyone who has seen the images and the video knows how violent this crash is,” the governor said at a Wednesday morning press conference. He urged residents to stay away from the area. He noted, “There are still dangerous things that are flammable, that are potentially explosive.”
State of Emergency Declared
Beshear declared a state of emergency to expedite the deployment of state resources and the Kentucky National Guard. “This allows us to move resources more quickly through emergency management and the National Guard,” he said. The governor confirmed that 16 families have reported loved ones missing. The search for victims would continue into the week.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced that one runway at the airport had reopened early Wednesday, but dozens of flights were delayed or canceled, affecting travelers’ schedules. “We’re working to restore operations safely and as quickly as possible,” he said in a statement.
The explosion destroyed much of the plane’s fuselage and ignited at least two nearby businesses — a petroleum recycling company and an auto parts facility. Two workers from one business were still unaccounted for on Tuesday evening. Officials said they were unsure how many customers might have been inside when the plane struck.
Massive Fire Fueled by Jet Fuel
Authorities said the explosion was intensified by the 38,000 gallons of jet fuel onboard, causing widespread fire and environmental hazards. Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey said the crash “made it look like it was raining oil” across parts of Louisville. Due to worries about secondary explosions and air quality, officials issued a temporary shelter-in-place order for a five-mile radius. This was later reduced to one mile after firefighters brought the blaze under control.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill called the scene “very dangerous” because of the spilled fuel volume. “The jet fuel created a fire that was difficult to contain and hazardous to responders,” O’Neill said.
Investigation Underway
A 28-person National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) team arrived on Wednesday to begin investigating the cause. Federal investigators will review flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and maintenance history. “They will analyze absolutely every bit,” Rep. McGarvey said.
The MD-11F model involved in the crash first entered service with Thai Airways in 1991. It joined UPS’ fleet in 2006. The aircraft was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997. Boeing stated in a press release that it was “ready to support our customer” and would provide technical assistance to investigators. The company added, “Our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected.”
Both UPS and FedEx announced plans last year to phase out their MD-11 fleets over the next decade. The move is part of modernization efforts. The aging aircraft, while widely used for cargo, has faced scrutiny for its handling characteristics during takeoff and landing.
Impact on UPS Operations
The crash temporarily shut down operations at UPS Worldport, the company’s largest global air distribution hub in Louisville, halting the sorting of more than 400,000 packages per hour and disrupting UPS’s worldwide logistics network.
UPS said it was “terribly saddened” by the crash and suspended sorting operations Tuesday night. “UPS is committed to safety for employees, customers, and communities—especially in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers,” the company said.
Officials have not yet confirmed what cargo was on board, but said there were no hazardous materials that would increase contamination risks.
The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report within 10 days, with a final investigation likely to take several months.
For official updates, visit NTSB.gov or FAA.gov.
