UPS MD-11F Crashed Near Louisville Airport, Initial Reports

(LOUISVILLE MUHAMMAD ALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) A UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Louisville airport on Tuesday evening, triggering a large fire and a shelter-in-place order that stretched five miles from the runways. The aircraft, identified as Flight 2976 and operating a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, went down at about 5:15 p.m. local time on November 4, 2025, minutes after departing at 5:10 p.m. for Honolulu. Police and airport officials said injuries have been reported but emphasized that, as of late Tuesday, no fatalities had been officially confirmed.

Crash location, immediate response, and scene conditions

The UPS plane crash unfolded on the south side of the airfield near the intersection of Fern Valley Road and Grade Lane, an area familiar to anyone who works at or passes the sprawling UPS Worldport complex. The site quickly filled with emergency vehicles as fire crews fought intense flames and thick smoke rising above the roadway.

The Louisville Metro Police Department called the scene “active with fire and debris” and urged the public to stay away. Authorities shut Grade Lane between Stooges and Crittenden indefinitely to keep routes clear for rescue teams and investigators.

Local television broadcasts and social media posts captured a terrifying view: a “massive fireball,” followed by “thick black smoke rising near Fern Valley and Grade Lane,” and a “large trail of flames and a plume of smoke leading from a parking lot as fire trucks tried to douse the fire.”

Witnesses and first responders reported:
– The blaze was fueled in part by the aircraft’s load of at least 25,000 gallons of jet fuel.
– Crews battled intense flames from multiple angles while police set up cordons and escorted bystanders out of the area.
– Firefighters used hose lines and foam trucks to smother fuel-fed flames; medics worked through debris gaps to reach injured people.

Flight details and airport operations

Key flight and aircraft details:
– Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
– Flight: Flight 2976
– Registration: N259UP
– Departure: 5:10 p.m. local time, bound for Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
– Crash time: ~5:15 p.m. local time (minutes after takeoff)

The jet reportedly climbed briefly before disappearing from radar. Within minutes, first responders converged on the crash site and the airfield temporarily halted operations.

Airport response:
– Airport officials called the closure temporary and necessary while fire and rescue teams gained control.
– Some flights were diverted and runway/airfield access was limited while investigators and emergency teams worked.
– Passengers and cargo customers were told to check with carriers for updates on late-night and early-morning schedules.

Safety orders, public instructions, and investigations

Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order within a 5-mile radius of the airport, urging residents and businesses to stay indoors due to the fire and potential hazardous conditions. The order covered much of the city’s south side and was framed as a precaution while crews contained the blaze and assessed air quality.

Public safety instructions included:
– Remain indoors with windows closed until the air is declared safe
– Avoid the Fern Valley / Grade Lane corridor to keep emergency routes clear
– Preserve and be ready to provide any high-quality video of the accident or aftermath to investigators

Investigations:
– The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened investigations; the NTSB is leading the probe.
– Investigators will collect flight data, crew records, maintenance logs, cargo manifest and fuel load records, and witness statements.
– The NTSB will map the wreckage path and analyze on-the-ground evidence to establish the fact pattern.
– Official updates and investigator guidance are available from the National Transportation Safety Board.

“First responders are onsite, and we will share more information as available. Please pray for the pilots, crew and everyone affected. We will share more soon.” — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

Human impact and UPS Worldport context

Inside the Louisville airport, the incident carries added weight because of UPS Worldport’s role:
– Moves over 2 million packages daily
– Employs more than 12,000 workers
– Nighttime freight operations are crucial to national logistics and on-time delivery

Consequences for workers and families:
– Overnight shift workers awaited instructions about reporting for duty; some feared overnight delays could disrupt the sorting window.
– Families received fragmented updates—radio chatter, texts, and short calls. One spouse told reporters they were told to go home and wait for official word: “They said they’ll contact us if anything changes. I’m just praying,” the person said, declining to give a name.
– Emergency teams checked for secondary fires, fuel runoff, and structural hazards before widening searches along the debris field.

Wider logistics impact:
– Cargo flight disruptions at a hub this size can force reroutes and strain crews and ground teams in other cities.
– Time-sensitive shipments (e.g., medical supplies, holiday goods) may be affected while airlines and freight operators adjust.

Investigative focus and technical considerations

Investigators will examine a familiar set of early questions:
1. Aircraft performance shortly after liftoff
2. Weather conditions at departure and along the departure path
3. Maintenance history and records for N259UP
4. Crew communications and cockpit voice/flight data recorder information
5. Cargo manifest and fuel load verification
6. Wreckage mapping to determine impact forces and sequence

Context on the MD-11:
– The MD-11 is a heavy, long-haul freighter with a distinct handling profile that has been the subject of study in past incidents.
– Officials cautioned that it is too early to connect past cases to this event; conclusions will rely on on-the-ground evidence and recorded data.

Evening developments and next steps

As darkness fell:
– The crash glow remained visible from nearby neighborhoods, attracting small groups; police pushed people back due to hot spots and airborne hazards.
– Firefighters prioritized active hotspots and worked with foam to control fuel-fed fires; medics operated cautiously amid debris.

By late evening:
– Officials reiterated that injuries had been reported but no fatalities had been officially confirmed.
– Crew names and details about the number or severity of injuries were not released.
– The FAA and NTSB requested that anyone with high-quality video preserve it for investigators.
– The airport stayed on limited operations as teams assessed runways and airfield access; investigators prepared to continue on-scene work through the night and into Wednesday.

Key takeaways

• A UPS MD-11F, Flight 2976 (N259UP), crashed shortly after takeoff at about 5:15 p.m. on November 4, 2025, after departing at 5:10 p.m.
• The crash generated an intense fire fueled by at least 25,000 gallons of jet fuel
• Authorities issued a 5-mile shelter-in-place and restricted road access near Fern Valley and Grade Lane
• Injuries have been reported; no fatalities officially confirmed as of late Tuesday
• The NTSB is leading the investigation; public updates will follow as evidence is collected

Officials said they would share more details as recovery and evidence collection advanced. For now, the situation centers on preserving safety, protecting the scene, and piecing together the timeline of what happened to Flight 2976.