UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Crashes Throughout Takeoff In Louisville

This text was up to date on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 10:30 EST to incorporate data on latest upkeep carried out on the plane. It was initially revealed on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

A number of individuals are lifeless and others are injured after a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 operated by UPS Airways crashed close to Louisville Muhammad Ali Worldwide Airport (SDF) on Tuesday. Flight information suggests the plane, certain for Honolulu, made affect south of the airfield at round 17:13 EST.

Three crew members have been on board the plane. A number of native businesses responded to the state of affairs, as massive clouds of black smoke billowed into the sky. The crash triggered an enormous explosion, prompting the airport to close down.

Plane Had Simply Returned From 45 Days In Upkeep

Thursday, November sixth, 10:30 EST

Flightradar24 information reveals that the plane, N259UP, was in San Antonio from September 3 to October 18. FAA information verify that the plane underwent upkeep throughout this time. The precise downside famous was a crack in a decrease stringer on the heart wing within the heart wing higher gas tank. The plane flew again to Louisville on October 18, and carried out 27 profitable flights after that. Stringers are structural items that run lengthwise within the fuselage or wing, serving to to strengthen the plane’s pores and skin and keep its form.

Stringers work along with frames, ribs, and bulkheads to distribute hundreds. Whereas an plane’s pores and skin carries a lot of the aerodynamic stress, stringers assist that pores and skin so it does not buckle, particularly below bending forces.

NTSB Replace

Thursday, November sixth, 07:35 EST

Yesterday night, the NTSB confirmed in a press convention that, whereas it has managed to determine the airplane’s cockpit voice and flight information recorders, they’re displaying indicators of fireside injury. Nevertheless, that is mentioned to be restricted, and it hopes to have the ability to learn information from them as soon as they’ve been ready at its laboratory. The NTSB is investigating the jet’s upkeep historical past, and plans to carry one other briefing later as we speak at 15:00 EST.

Video Exhibits Left Engine Lacking Earlier than Crash

Wednesday, November 5, 22:30 EST

Newly launched dashcam video reveals the plane lacking its left engine because it struggles to achieve altitude. It subsequently makes affect with the bottom and bursts into flames.

Second Runway Reopens

Wednesday, November 5, 22:00 EST

SDF confirmed on social media that the airport’s east runway had formally reopened.

“Runway 17L/35R (East Runway) is now open following yesterday’s plane incident at SDF,” it mentioned. “With the addition of the East Runway, this implies two of SDF’s three runways can be found for plane operations.”

UPS CEO Speaks Out On The Crash

Wednesday, November 5, 19:45 EST

In a memo to staff late Wednesday, UPS CEO Carol Tomé praised the group in Louisville for his or her “grace and professionalism” all through the tragedy.

To my UPS Household:

We’ve got suffered a tragic accident involving Flight 2976. We’re deeply saddened and our hearts proceed to be with all who’ve been impacted. We are going to maintain them in our hearts as we proceed our dedication to security, care and neighborhood.

I’m extremely grateful to our group in Louisville for his or her grace and professionalism. We aren’t alone on this second and from the notes I’ve acquired from around the globe, I do know that solidarity and empathy are highly effective forces in therapeutic. United, we’re sturdy.

Please share this message together with your groups and be part of me in honoring all who’ve been impacted and all who responded to this tragedy. Hold them in your ideas and prayers.

Thanks,

Carol

Black Containers Recovered As Dramatic Dashcam Video Exhibits Final Moments

Wednesday, November 5, 18:30 EST

The NTSB confirmed Wednesday afternoon that its investigation group recovered the plane’s cockpit voice recorders. At the very least 12 folks have died, together with one who was a baby, in line with WLKY. One other 15 individuals are injured, whereas 16 are reportedly lacking.

Dashcam video reveals the plane violently turning to its facet earlier than crashing and exploding.

KY Governor Declares State Of Emergency

Wednesday, November 5, 11:30 EST

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear spoke concerning the accident at his weekly Crew Kentucky Replace. He reiterated that the loss of life toll at the moment stands at 9, however he’s pretty assured that quantity will develop by not less than one. He additionally declared a state of emergency and established the Crew Kentucky Emergency Aid Fund to offer assist to these impacted.

Dying Toll Rises To 9

Wednesday, November 5, 09:25 EST

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed earlier as we speak that “the variety of these misplaced has now risen to not less than 9, with the potential for extra.”

First Flight Lands Following The Crash

Wednesday, November 5, 08:15 EST

Per Flightradar24, American Airways flight AA3193 was the primary flight to land in Louisville since yesterday’s crash. Operated by an Airbus A321 registered as N914UY, it flew in from Dallas/Fort Price, and was as a consequence of contact down at 22:01 final evening, however, on account of the closure, solely landed in Kentucky at 07:48 this morning.

Runway 17R/35L is ready to remain closed for one more 10 days, however, in line with Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, the shelter-in-place order has now been diminished to a radius of only a quarter of a mile nearest to the crash web site. Particles has unfold over a substantial space, and residents are being requested to report any on their property however to not contact or transfer it.

What We Know So Far

Wednesday, November 5, 06:00 EST

The flight: UPS Airways flight 2976 was a scheduled home cargo service that originated at Louisville Muhammad Ali Worldwide Airport (SDF) in Kentucky. It is a main hub for the American airfreight specialist. Its vacation spot was Honolulu (HNL) in Hawaii, with reviews that the jet was loaded with 280,000 kilos of gas for the lengthy journey.

The plane: The crash concerned a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F registered as N259UP. Based on ch-aviation, the plane was 34 years previous, having initially entered service in a passenger capability with Thai Airways in 1991 earlier than switching to UPS’ cargo operations in 2006. N259UP was certainly one of 27 MD-11Fs in UPS’ fleet on the time of the crash.

What occurred: Whereas departing from Louisville, the plane seems to have suffered an engine failure and fireplace. With the jet previous the purpose of no return, its crew couldn’t abort the takeoff, and tried to get the airplane off the bottom, however it got here crashing again down in a ball of fireside in a close-by industrial property simply past the top of the runway.

Casualties: At the very least seven individuals are confirmed to have died on account of the crash, with this determine cut up between the plane’s three crew members and one other 4 fatalities on the bottom. Based on the BBC, not less than one other 11 individuals are confirmed to have been injured, however there are fears that the variety of casualties could but rise.

NTSB Releases Assertion

Wednesday, November 5, 05:25 EST

The NTSB launched the next assertion Tuesday evening, in line with The Aviation Herald,

“The NTSB is launching a go-team to research Tuesday’s crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo plane, Flight 2976, close to Louisville, Kentucky. NTSB Board Member Todd Inman will function the on-scene spokesperson. The investigative group is scheduled to reach in Kentucky tomorrow. A media briefing shall be held tomorrow, with the time and site to be introduced.”

UPS confirmed that the Nationwide Transportation Security Board (NTSB) will conduct the probe into the crash and would be the “main supply of details about the official investigation.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) additionally informed Easy Flying that it’ll accomplice with the NTSB.

UPS Releases Up to date Assertion

Wednesday, November 5, 04:10 EST

Following the preliminary assertion by UPS, the corporate, which halted bundle sorting operations in Louisville final evening, has since issued a extra detailed response to the crash. It says:

“We’re terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt ideas are with everybody concerned. UPS is dedicated to the protection of our staff, our prospects, and the communities we serve. That is significantly true in Louisville, house to our airline and hundreds of UPSers. We’re engaged with the Nationwide Transportation Security Board’s investigation of the accident and are staying in shut contact with the Federal Aviation Administration. We are going to work tirelessly with state and native authorities on response efforts. Members of the family looking for data ought to name 800-631-0604.”

KY Governor Gives Replace

Tuesday, November 4, 22:15 EST

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear shared on social media at round 22:15 that there have been not less than seven fatalities, however the quantity was “anticipated to rise.” Beshear additionally mentioned that first responders have been “working exhausting” to maintain the world secure because the investigation ensues.

“Please, pray for the households affected,” the Governor mentioned. “Louisville and all of Kentucky. We’re hurting proper now after a heartbreaking day.”

Boeing Releases Assertion

Tuesday, November 4, 17:48 EST

Boeing launched a press release, saying it’ll assist UPS and the NTSB.

“We’re following the information out of Louisville concerning UPS Flight 2976. Our concern is for the protection and well-being of all these affected. We stand able to assist our buyer and have supplied technical help to the NTSB.”

UPS MD-11 Crash Explosion Prompts Shelter-In-Place Order

Tuesday, November 4, 17:30 EST

Flightradar24 information reveals the plane, registered as N259UP, was working flight 2976. It departed from Runway 17R at roughly 17:12. An onlooker caught the ordeal on digital camera from the airfield, displaying the plane on fireplace because it struggled to achieve altitude. Knowledge signifies the MD-11 reached a pace of 211 miles per hour (184 knots), however the footage reveals it by no means lifted off the runway. It subsequently crashed and exploded, sending a big cloud of flames and smoke upwards.

The reason for the crash is unknown at the moment as officers examine. It is usually unclear when or the place the fireplace originated, though the video suggests the plane’s left engine was affected. The flight was initially scheduled to depart at 15:00 however was delayed over two hours for unknown causes.

Based on Louisville native information station WDRB, police and fireplace crews acquired a name a couple of airplane crash close to SDF simply after 17:00. Because of the explosion, a shelter-in-place order was reportedly issued simply after 17:30, regarding all areas inside 5 miles of the airport. About half-hour later, the order was expanded to incorporate all surrounding areas north of the airport, extending to the Ohio River. A UPS spokesperson confirmed the crash in a press release to Easy Flying on Tuesday.

“At roughly 5:20 PM ET tonight, UPS Flight 2976 from Louisville, KY, to Honolulu, an MD-11 with three crewmembers onboard, was concerned in an accident in Louisville. At the moment, we’ve not confirmed any accidents/casualties.”

Aerial footage from CBS native affiliate WLKY confirmed particles from the plane, together with what seemed to be an engine cowling, off the facet of the runway. The native outlet’s footage additionally captured vital injury to a close-by constructing. The large fireplace and enormous plumes of smoke probably resulted from the airplane carrying full tanks of gas.

Flying from Louisville to Honolulu covers greater than 4,300 miles and takes almost 9 hours. The airfield was closed, and safety screenings on the TSA checkpoints have been quickly suspended.

“Passengers ought to carefully monitor their flight standing through their airline’s web site or cellular app,” airport officers defined.

As of 19:21 EST on Tuesday, there have been 19 delays and 25 cancellations reported at SDF, in line with FlightAware.

About The Plane

N259UP is a 34-year-old airframe, in line with ch-aviation. It was ordered by Thai Airways in 1988 and was delivered to the service in 1991. After 15 years of passenger operations, the plane was transformed and transferred to UPS in 2006. It has been flown by the airline ever since.

As a staple of the cargo service’s world operations, N259UP primarily frequented SDF, given the airport is UPS’ foremost base. Previous to working flight 2976, the plane arrived at SDF on Tuesday morning as flight 2215 from Baltimore. Different locations the plane visited throughout the final week embrace Ontario, Portland, Tampa, Miami, Oakland, Newark, Dallas, and Seattle.

Following flight 2976, it’s believed that N259UP was scheduled to function flight 5967 from Daniel Okay. Inouye Worldwide Airport (HNL) to Ontario Worldwide Airport (ONT). The trijet was projected to be retired from operations in some unspecified time in the future this month, ch-aviation information reveals.

Did the UPS MD-11 crash in Louisville affect you? Get in contact at [email protected].