UPS Cargo Plane Crash in Kentucky Kills Seven

Published: 05 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Seven people lost their lives when a UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening. The violent incident also left at least 11 others injured, as the plane exploded into thick black smoke shortly after departing at around 17:15 local time (22:15 GMT).

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that the aircraft’s three crew members are likely among the dead. “Anyone who has seen the images and the video knows how violent this crash is,” he said, warning that the death toll could rise. Officials also said that many victims suffered very serious injuries.

The UPS flight, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel when it skidded off the runway and struck nearby buildings. The explosion engulfed at least two businesses, including a petroleum recycling company. Initially, authorities issued a shelter-in-place order within a five-mile radius of the airport, later reduced to just one mile due to safety concerns.

All departing flights scheduled for Tuesday evening were cancelled. Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neill said the fire has been largely contained, though crews remain on site. “When you have such a large-scale incident and fire that spread over a massive area, we have to use hundreds of personnel to surround it, contain it, and then slowly bring it in,” he explained. He added that firefighters are carefully searching grid by grid to ensure no victims remain.

Governor Beshear urged residents to avoid the crash site, noting the presence of flammable and potentially explosive materials. He stressed that investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would lead the official investigation and declined to speculate on the cause. The NTSB team is set to arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday.

Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey said the crash 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 said.

The plane involved was a 34-year-old MD-11F, a triple-engine jet originally serving as a passenger aircraft with Thai Airways before joining UPS in 2006. The MD-11F, produced by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing), measures just over 61 metres in length with a wingspan of 52 metres. Both UPS and FedEx have announced plans to retire their MD-11 fleets over the next decade.

In a statement, Boeing said it is “ready to support our customer” and prioritizes the safety and well-being of all affected, offering technical assistance to the NTSB.

Louisville is home to UPS Worldport, the company’s largest package handling facility and a global hub for air cargo operations. Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe described Louisville as a “UPS town,” noting how residents are checking on friends and family. UPS released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the crash and confirmed that it halted package sorting operations at Worldport that night.

State Senator Keturah Herron reflected on the personal impact, saying, “Many of us watch our family members and loved ones pass through [Louisville airport] on a regular basis.” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called the crash an “incredible tragedy that our community will never forget” and praised the first responders who rushed to the scene.

The investigation into this devastating crash is expected to continue over the coming days, as authorities work to determine the cause and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.