A UPS cargo plane crashed and erupted into flames shortly after taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, leaving at least seven people dead and 11 injured, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed.
The accident, which occurred around 5:15 p.m., sent thick black smoke across nearby neighborhoods and prompted authorities to issue a five-mile shelter-in-place order, later reduced to one mile after firefighters managed to control most of the fire.
Officials said the three crew members on board are believed to be among the dead, though UPS has not officially confirmed any casualties.
In a statement, the company said: “We have not confirmed any injuries or casualties. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, customers and the communities we serve. We are terribly saddened by this incident and are working closely with authorities as they investigate.”
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F aircraft, destined for Hawaii, crashed moments after lifting off, exploding on impact.
The plane carried 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel, sparking a large fire that engulfed at least two nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling facility and an auto repair shop.
“The amount of fuel spilled at the crash site made it a very dangerous situation,” said Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neal. Two workers from the affected businesses remain unaccounted for, and officials have not confirmed how many customers were inside when the plane struck.
Governor Beshear said at least 11 people sustained injuries, some described as “very significant.” Emergency crews continued to search the wreckage late into the evening.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. “I will not speculate as to what caused the incident,” the governor said. “The NTSB will lead the investigation.” A team from the National Transportation Safety Board is on its way to Louisville to examine the scene.
Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey said the site will remain an “active scene for several days.” “We don’t know how long it’s going to take to render that scene safe for the investigation to take place,” he added.
The airport temporarily halted all departing flights, and UPS suspended operations at its Worldport hub, the company’s largest global package-handling facility, overnight.
The crash has deeply affected the Louisville community, where thousands of residents are employed by UPS. Louisville Metro Council Member Betsy Ruhe noted that nearly every family knows someone working for the company. “They’re all texting their friends, their family, trying to make sure everyone is safe,” she said.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described the event as “an incredible tragedy that our community will never forget.” He added on X: “We are so thankful for our brave first responders who have flooded the scene to help control the fire and provide support for any victims on the ground.”
State Senator Keturah Herron reflected on the personal impact of the crash: “Many of us watch our family members and loved ones pass through Louisville airport on a regular basis.”
The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F triple-engine cargo plane, was first manufactured 34 years ago and initially served Thai Airways before UPS acquired it in 2006. Both FedEx and UPS had previously announced plans to retire their MD-11 fleets over the next decade to modernize operations.
In a statement, Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, said: “Our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected. We stand ready to support our customer and the NTSB investigation.”
Governor Beshear urged residents to remain patient as investigators work to secure the site. “This is a painful moment for Kentucky,” he said. “But we’ll come together — as we always do — to support those affected.”
